A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SPACEPORT Act aims to amend the laws regarding space transportation infrastructure modernization grants. It modifies the definition of a 'public agency' and changes the rules for how grant money can be awarded. The bill expands the scope of space transportation needs to include civil, national security, and commercial interests. It also establishes new requirements for the Secretary of Transportation to develop evaluation criteria and consult with other government agencies. Finally, the Act mandates a detailed report to Congress regarding space transportation demand, funding, and international competitiveness.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +3
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill mandates a report assessing international space transportation capabilities to help maintain United States competitiveness.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The expansion of grant eligibility to include commercial needs supports business owners in the space sector.
- Scored +2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The expansion of grant eligibility to include commercial space transportation needs may benefit the commercial space industry.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Broader Scope of Space Needs: By updating the criteria to include civil, national security, and commercial space transportation needs, the bill expands the focus of the grants beyond just the Government's needs (Section 2(c)(1)(A)).
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Increased Competition and Global Standing: The bill requires a report that assesses international space transportation capabilities and provides recommendations for maintaining United States competitiveness (Section 2(d)(1)(D)).
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Improved Planning and Oversight: The Secretary of Transportation is required to submit reports that evaluate demand, examine long-term funding options, and provide policy recommendations to ensure resilient space transportation capabilities (Section 2(d)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Grant Funding Limits: The bill specifies that a project grant can only be for up to 90 percent of the total cost of a project, which may place a higher financial burden on the project recipient (Section 2(b)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill mandates a report assessing international space transportation capabilities to help maintain United States competitiveness. Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill expands the scope of space transportation needs to include national security interests.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The expansion of grant eligibility to include commercial needs supports business owners in the space sector.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The expansion of grant eligibility to include commercial space transportation needs may benefit the commercial space industry.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill supports the development of resilient space transportation capabilities through modernized grant authority.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates periodic updated reports to Congress regarding space transportation demand and funding.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill modernizes space transportation infrastructure through updated grant authorities.
- 9/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Vince FongRepublican · California
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California