Reports
House Committee on Science Space and Technology “Full Committee Markup of H.R. 2984, H.R. 2600, H.R. 2313, H.R. 2613, H.R. 1223”
House Committee on Science Space and Technology
“Full Committee Markup of H.R. 2984, H.R. 2600, H.R. 2313, H.R. 2613, H.R. 1223”
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Introduction
The House Committee on Science Space and Technology (HSST) held a full committee markup of H.R. 2984, H.R. 2600, H.R. 2313, H.R. 2613, H.R. 1223 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The committee passed all bills unanimously by voice vote.
Key Highlights
- The ASTRO Act (H.R. 2984), a bill drafted to authorize transportation for United States government astronauts returning from space between their residence and various locations, passed unanimously by voice vote. No amendments offered.
- The ASCEND Act (H.R. 2600), a bill that directs the NASA Administrator to establish a commercial satellite data acquisition program under NASA’s Science Mission Directorate to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, passed unanimously by voice vote. Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA), Reps. Hurd (R-CO), Bonamici (D-OR) and Gillen (D-NY) all spoke in favor of the bill. No amendments offered.
Opening Statements
Full Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX)
In his opening statement, Chairman Babin (R-TX) reflects on a strong beginning to the legislative year, marked by a series of hearings on critical science and technology issues. Building on this momentum, the committee will mark-up six forward-looking bills aimed at driving innovation, modernizing infrastructure, and reinforcing America’s global and economic leadership. The ASTRO Act (H.R. 2984), inspired by conversations with returning astronauts, seeks to ease transportation barriers for space travelers who must undergo extended medical evaluations. By ensuring safe and accessible transport, the bill supports their recovery and reinforces NASA’s human spaceflight operations. The ASCEND Act (H.R. 2600) authorizes NASA’s use of commercially sourced satellite data, a program that has significantly enhanced its observational capabilities. This move secures the program’s future and aligns NASA’s goals with the strengths of the private sector. Chairman Babin commended the bipartisan collaboration and expresses optimism for a productive legislative session aimed at restoring America’s leadership in transformative science and technology.
Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
In her opening statement, Ranking Member Lofgren (D-CA) acknowledged the challenging nature of the current Congress but reaffirmed a strong commitment to bipartisan collaboration within the committee. The Ranking Member expressed hope that the committee will continue its tradition of fostering advancements that contribute to a healthier and more prosperous future for all Americans. With that in mind, the Ranking Member briefly outlined an overview of bipartisan bills under consideration. The ASTRO Act (H.R. 2984) addresses transportation barriers for astronauts recovering from missions, removing an outdated bureaucratic requirement and ensuring easier access to medical care. The ASCEND Act (H.R. 2600), co-sponsored by Reps. Hurd (R-CO) and Bonamici (D-OR), seeks to make permanent a successful NASA pilot program that utilizes commercial satellite data to support Earth science research.
Consideration of Legislation
No amendments were offered and all bills passed unanimously by voice vote.