John Cornyn (R-TX)
Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
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
This bill, known as the "Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act," requires the transfer of the Discovery space shuttle from the Smithsonian Institution to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The transfer must be completed within 18 months of the Act's enactment. The NASA Administrator and the Smithsonian Institution are tasked with jointly creating a plan that includes a timeline and cost estimate. This plan must be submitted to Congress within 90 days of enactment. Once transferred, the shuttle is to be placed on public exhibition near the Johnson Space Center to promote STEM learning. Finally, title of the shuttle will eventually be transferred from NASA to a designated nonprofit entity.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this put more into space exploration?
By moving the Discovery shuttle to the Johnson Space Center, the bill promotes NASA's mission and space history.
- Scored +3
Would students be better off under this?
The bill explicitly promotes STEM learning through public exhibition.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill supports STEM learning through public exhibition of the space shuttle.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Advancing STEM Learning: The bill requires the shuttle to be placed on public exhibition to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning (Section 2(d)(1) and Section 2(e)). This could provide educational benefits to individuals through public access to the shuttle near the Johnson Space Center.
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New Public Exhibition Location: The shuttle is to be exhibited at a location no more than 5 miles from the Johnson Space Center (Section 2(d)(1) and Section 2(e)), which provides a specific site for public learning and engagement.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Costs: The bill requires the development of a cost estimate for the transfer (Section 2(b)(1)) and authorizes the Administrator to receive sums of money as may be necessary to carry out the transfer (Section 2(f)). These costs are described as being in addition to other authorized appropriations.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill explicitly promotes STEM learning through public exhibition. Would children be better off under this? — The bill promotes STEM learning which benefits children's education. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Houston residents gain a new public exhibition and educational resource. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — STEM education can benefit young adults entering technical fields.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more into space exploration? — By moving the Discovery shuttle to the Johnson Space Center, the bill promotes NASA's mission and space history. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill supports STEM learning through public exhibition of the space shuttle.
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas