A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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 limitations on how much of a project's cost a grant can cover. The bill also expands the scope of space transportation needs to include civil, national security, and commercial interests. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop specific project evaluation criteria and consult with various government agencies. Finally, it mandates a series of reports to Congress regarding space transportation demand, funding, and international competitiveness.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The expansion of eligibility to include commercial space needs is intended to bolster the domestic space industry.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill's focus on commercial space transportation needs supports business owners in the space industry.
- Scored +3
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
The bill mandates an assessment of international commercial markets and an international space transportation network to maintain competitiveness.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Scope of Needs: By including "the civil, national security, and commercial space transportation needs of the United States," the bill expands the considerations for space transportation infrastructure (Section 2(c)(1)(A)).
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Enhanced Oversight and Strategy: The requirement for the Secretary of Transportation to submit reports that evaluate demand, provide policy recommendations, and examine funding options may help ensure robust and resilient space transportation capabilities (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Global Competitiveness: The mandate to assess international space transportation capabilities and provide recommendations for maintaining United States competitiveness could benefit the domestic space industry (Section 2(d)(1)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Grant Limitations: The bill specifies that a project grant cannot be for more than 90 percent of the total cost of a project, which may create a financial burden for projects requiring more significant federal coverage (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.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The expansion of eligibility to include commercial space needs is intended to bolster the domestic space industry. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Expanding the scope of space transportation needs to include commercial interests can benefit various commercial entities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill's focus on commercial space transportation needs supports business owners in the space industry. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Spaceport development often occurs near specific hubs that can impact regional development.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The bill mandates an assessment of international commercial markets and an international space transportation network to maintain competitiveness. Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill explicitly includes national security space transportation needs in the scope of project evaluation.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill expands criteria for space transportation to include civil needs, which often involve scientific exploration.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates regular reports to Congress regarding space transportation demand and funding options.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill modernizes space transportation infrastructure through grant authority.
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 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.