Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Space Exploration Research Act
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 369.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Space Exploration Research Act," provides the NASA Administrator with supplemental lease authority. It allows the Administrator to lease real property under their jurisdiction to specific entities for up to 50 years. These leases are intended to support facilities for aeronautical and space research, education, and training. The bill also allows for the leaseback of property and various types of agreements or contracts with these entities. Additionally, the Administrator is required to submit an annual report to specific Congressional committees regarding these lease arrangements.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +5
Does this put more into space exploration?
The act provides significant tools to support the research, education, and technological transfer essential for space exploration.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill supports the construction and operation of facilities designed to train individuals for careers in the space industry.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill facilitates space-related scientific and academic activities through expanded lease authorities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Career Development: The bill allows for the construction and operation of facilities designed to educate and train individuals for careers in the space industry (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
-
Advancement of Science and Technology: The authority supports the conduct of aeronautical and space research, as well as scientific, engineering, medical, or academic activities (Section 2(a)(1)(A) and (D)).
-
Economic and Technical Transfer: The provision supports carrying out the transfer of aeronautical and space technology between the United States public and domestic private sectors (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
-
Potential Cost Savings: The annual report requirements include tracking estimated cost savings to NASA resulting from reduced maintenance, operating, and associated costs (Section 2(f)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Long-term Property Control: The Administrator is granted the authority to lease real property for terms not to exceed 50 years, which can be renewed for additional periods (Section 2(a)(1) and (2)).
-
Broad Delegation of Authority: The Administrator has the power to delegate the lease and administrative authorities to subordinate officers and employees as they consider appropriate (Section 2(d)).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports the construction and operation of facilities designed to train individuals for careers in the space industry. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By facilitating technology transfer between public and private sectors, the bill supports economic activity in the space industry. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill aims to achieve estimated cost savings for NASA through reduced maintenance and operating costs. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The requirement for annual reports on cost savings and revenue expenditures enhances fiscal oversight of NASA leases.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more into space exploration? — The act provides significant tools to support the research, education, and technological transfer essential for space exploration. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill facilitates space-related scientific and academic activities through expanded lease authorities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill facilitates technological transfer and property use that can benefit private sector entities. Would students be better off under this? — The bill supports higher education institutions and training for future careers in the space industry. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill supports educational and training opportunities for careers in the space industry.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reports to Congress detailing the mission relevance and financial value of the leases. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the unilateral authority of the NASA Administrator to lease property for up to 50 years. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill explicitly allows states and their subdivisions to be entities that lease NASA property.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill enhances NASA's ability to manage and utilize its real property through long-term leases.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill facilitates research activities through enhanced leasing capabilities for scientific and medical institutions.
- 4/13/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-117.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 369.
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi