Joint Commerce Committee Statement on Senate Passage of Bill to Boost Competitiveness of U.S. Space Industry

Press Release

U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Space, Science, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Space, Science, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.) issued the following statements on the passage of H.R. 2262, the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, a bicameral, bipartisan bill that encourages competitiveness, reflects the needs of a modern-day U.S. commercial space industry, and guarantees operation of the International Space Station until at least 2024. The bill builds on key elements in S. 1297 that the Commerce Committee approved earlier this year and passed the Senate on August 4, 2015.

"Today, the Senate passed a bill with far-reaching implications for the future of space exploration and the U.S. space industry," said Chairman Thune. "I appreciate the efforts of my Senate colleagues, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith who, among other congressional space policy leaders, were critical to building consensus around the bill that passed today."

"This will help bolster an already thriving U.S. commercial space industry, especially in Florida where we are seeing an amazing transformation of the Kennedy Space Center into a bustling space port," said Ranking Member Nelson, who sponsored the original Commercial Space Launch Act over thirty years ago. "It also paves the way for NASA to begin launching astronauts to the International Space Station on American-made commercial rockets while providing jobs for the economy."

"This law makes a commitment to supporting the continued development of a strong commercial space sector and recognizes the major stake Texas has in space exploration," said Subcommittee Chairman Cruz. "It also provides NASA and the International Space Station with nearly a decade of mission certainty by extending the operation and utilization of the International Space Station until 2024. Most importantly, it solidifies America's leading role in the commercial space sector and builds upon the work of President Reagan. "

"The researchers, entrepreneurs and manufacturers that make up our commercial space industry are driving innovation that helps grow our economy and furthers NASA's research and human exploration priorities in space," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Peters. "I am pleased that we were able to come together with our colleagues in the House to craft a final bipartisan bill that promotes new research, creates jobs and encourages the next major advancements in space exploration."