Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Star Print ordered on report 119-82.
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
The Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act provides for the authorized use of Federal vehicle transportation for certain astronauts. It allows the Administrator to authorize passenger carriers to transport government astronauts or space flight participants between their residence and various locations for official purposes. Official purposes include post-mission activities such as medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. This authorization requires written approval from the Chief of the Astronaut Office. The Administrator is also permitted to maintain, operate, and repair these passenger carriers.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill facilitates access to essential post-mission medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment through authorized transportation.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill supports the logistical needs of astronauts participating in post-mission medical research.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Medical Support for Astronauts: The bill allows for transportation necessary for post-mission activities, which includes medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment (Sec. 2. (a)(3)). This ensures individuals can receive essential care before they are cleared to operate a motor vehicle.
-
Authorized Transportation Logistics: The Administrator has the authority to maintain, operate, and repair passenger carriers to provide this transportation (Sec. 2. (b)(2)). This creates a structured way to handle the movement of individuals following a mission.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Reimbursement Requirements: International partner astronauts or space flight participants who are not employees of the United States Government must reimburse the Treasury for their transportation (Sec. 2. (c)). This could create a financial burden or unexpected cost for these specific individuals.
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.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill facilitates access to essential post-mission medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment through authorized transportation.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill supports the logistical needs of astronauts participating in post-mission medical research.
- 10/29/2025
- Star Print ordered on report 119-82.
- 10/20/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-82.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 193.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/13/2025
- 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.
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan