Gary Peters (D-MI)· Aug 6, 2026
S.Amdt. 6748: In the nature of a substitute.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
Gary Peters (D-MI)
Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act
S. 434 · Senate bill Science, Technology, Communications
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Space Commerce Advisory Committee Act," directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee. The Committee will consist of 15 members with significant experience in various fields related to the commercial space industry. These members will serve terms of up to four years and provide advice and recommendations regarding the commercial space sector. Their duties include advising on the status of nongovernmental space activities and recommending ways to promote a safe and competitive industry. The Committee is also tasked with identifying challenges such as export controls and radio frequency spectrum access. The Committee is scheduled to terminate 10 years after its establishment.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The act requires the committee to review best practices to avoid contamination of celestial bodies and Earth's environment.
- Scored +5
Does this put more into space exploration?
The bill establishes a committee to promote and facilitate the commercial space sector.
- Scored +4
Is this likely to grow the economy?
The act promotes a competitive and innovative commercial space sector to aid economic activity.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Industry Growth and Innovation: The Committee is tasked with providing recommendations to help the United States facilitate and promote a safe, sustainable, robust, competitive, and innovative commercial space sector (Section 3(c)(2)).
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Environmental Protection: The Committee is required to review best practices to help United States entities avoid the harmful contamination of the Moon and other celestial bodies, as well as adverse changes to the Earth's environment caused by extraterrestrial matter (Section 3(c)(4)).
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Addressing Sector Challenges: The Committee will work to identify and respond to challenges including export controls, international obligations, and access to predictable and reliable radio frequency spectrum (Section 3(c)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Membership Duration: The Committee is set to terminate 10 years after it is established, which limits the long-term existence of this advisory body (Section 3(d)).
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Restrictions on Service: Members are subject to term limits of no more than 4 years and a 2-year waiting period before they can serve again (Section 3(b)(3)).
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 grow the economy? — The act promotes a competitive and innovative commercial space sector to aid economic activity. Is this likely to create jobs? — The committee's focus on a robust commercial space sector aims to facilitate industry growth. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The committee addresses challenges like export controls and spectrum access that affect commercial entities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The act requires the committee to review best practices to avoid contamination of celestial bodies and Earth's environment. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The committee addresses the contamination and preservation of celestial bodies.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more into space exploration? — The bill establishes a committee to promote and facilitate the commercial space sector. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The committee involves experts in science and engineering to advise on space activities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill specifically aims to promote a competitive and innovative commercial space sector.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The committee provides recommendations to both the Secretary and Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — The act directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory committee.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The committee assists with international obligations related to the commercial space sector.
- 8/10/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 8/6/2026
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4493-4494)
- The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S4493-4494)
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S4493-4494)
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/21/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-87.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 198.
- 6/25/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 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.
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi