A bipartisan group of senators is hoping to give the Air Force more flexibility to use Russian-made rocket engines for its national security space launches.

Sen. Bill Nelson Clarence (Bill) William NelsonDemocrats sound alarm on possible election chaos Trump, facing trouble in Florida, goes all in NASA names DC headquarters after agency's first Black female engineer Mary W. Jackson MORE (D-Fla.) filed an amendment to an annual defense policy bill that would allow all launch providers to compete for contracts, regardless of country of origin.

The provision would end after 2022, which Nelson said would give the Air Force enough time to wean itself off the Russian engines.

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“Banning the use of these engines too soon would not only cost taxpayers billions of dollars, it would put our national security at risk and unnecessarily hamper our ability to launch satellites into space,” Nelson said in a statement.

The amendment is co-sponsored by Sens. Cory Gardner Cory Scott GardnerJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Gardner on court vacancy: Country needs to mourn Ginsburg 'before the politics begin' MORE (R-Colo.), Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE (D-Colo.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Top GOP senator calls for Biden to release list of possible Supreme Court picks MORE (D-Ill.)

The Air Force relies on United Launch Alliance (ULA) — a Lockheed and Boeing joint venture — for its sensitive national security space launches. United Launch Alliance uses a launch vehicle reliant on the Russian engines, known as RD-180s.

As written now, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would only allow the Air Force nine RD-180s.

Banning the engines has been a focus of Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day McConnell urges GOP senators to 'keep your powder dry' on Supreme Court vacancy McSally says current Senate should vote on Trump nominee MORE (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. McCain argues that continuing to buy the engines enriches the coffers of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his cronies.

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But the Air Force and ULA supporters have argued ending reliance on the engines before a viable American-made alternative is available would be costly and could endanger national security by cutting off assured access to space.

The Air Force has requested authority to buy 18 engines, which the House version of the NDAA would allow.

The proposed amendment to the Senate NDAA would go further by saying there’s no limitations on the engines until after 2022.

“The DoD must have access to launch vehicles that it can afford,” Gardner said in a statement. “My amendment promotes competition and acknowledges the difficult fiscal environment by requiring the DoD to purchase rockets from certified providers that offer the best possible value. It also protects our national security by ensuring continued access to space, which is critical to the detection of missiles, transmitting secure communication, and gathering intelligence.”