Markups

Opening Statement: 

Chairman Brian Babin

Full Committee Markup of:

H.R. 7273, NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 - favorably reported to the House by a recorded vote of 37-0

The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 reaffirms America’s leadership in space by advancing human exploration of the Moon and Mars, supporting a growing commercial space economy in low-Earth orbit, and investing in next-generation space and aeronautics technologies. The bill also strengthens scientific discovery and workforce development to ensure the United States remains the world’s leading spacefaring nation.

• Amendment #01 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Babin (R-TX), Lofgren (D-CA), Haridopolos (R-FL), Begich (R-AK), and Van Epps (R-TN) - passed by voice vote
  
  Enables NASA to procure commercial services to carry crew and cargo to and from deep space destinations.

• Amendment #16 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Self (R-TX) – passed by voice vote
  
  Requires NASA to establish the initial elements of a lunar outpost by December 31, 2030, reinforcing a sustained U.S. presence and infrastructure on the Moon.

• Amendment #23 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Friedman (D-CA) – passed by voice vote
  
  Directs NASA to align its technology development to facilitate the acquisition and return of Martian samples as part of future exploration missions to Mars.

• Amendment #25 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Rivas (D-CA) – passed by voice vote
  
  Adds a new section to Title II (Exploration) for NASA to apply proven robotic Mars landing technologies, operational approaches, mission experiences, or scientific knowledge to advance human exploration planning and submit a report.

• Amendment #72 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. McClain-Delaney (D-MD) – passed by voice vote
  
  Enables an independent Review of TDRSS.

• Amendment #51 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Obernolte (R-CA) and Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote
  
  Directs NASA Administrator to establish a Commercial Microgravity Research Payload Services Program to allow NASA to procure end - to - end launch, on - orbit, and return services for microgravity research from U.S. commercial providers.

• Amendment #9 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Self (R-TX) – passed by voice vote
  
  Requires NASA to evaluate and report on the crew transportation vehicles needed to ensure robust U.S. access to commercial low Earth orbit destinations through 2040, including projected availability and costs of commercially available systems.

• Amendment #33 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Kennedy (R-UT) – passed by voice vote
  
  Gives NASA further direction on developing space nuclear systems

• Amendment #114 to H.R. 7273, offered by Mr. Beyer (D-VA) – passed by voice vote
  
  Directs NASA and related agencies to conduct a study on modernizing aeronautical standards.

• Amendment #29 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Foushee (D-NC) – passed by voice vote
  
  Clarifies inclusion of propulsion systems

• Amendment #97 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Sykes (D-OH) – passed by voice vote
  
  Inserts the H.R. 6898 AIRSHIP Act to expand NASA research on airships.

• Amendment #8 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Beyer (D-VA) and Harrigan (R-NC) – passed by voice vote
  
  Directs NASA to develop a methane monitoring and detection strategy.

• Amendment #116 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Beyer (D-VA) – passed by voice vote
  
  Supports NASA’s early career science and research programs.
  
  
• Amendment #75 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) – passed by voice vote
  
  Pilot Demonstrations for Space-Based Marine Debris Detection.

•  Amendment #27 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Foushee (D-NC) – passed by voice vote

  Sense of Congress on the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.

• Amendment #32 to H.R. 7273 Offered by Rep. Fong (R-CA) – passed by voice vote

  Requires the Administrator to establish and maintain a process of cross-directorate collaboration of Mars exploration and science activities.

• Amendment #32 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. McBride (D-DE) – passed by voice vote

  Supports research activities, such as research into Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and sediment plumes, which affect coastal industries and communities.

• Amendment #4 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Salinas (D-OR) – passed by voice vote

   Requires NASA to provide recommendations to improve wildfire coordination.

• Amendment #28 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Foushee (D-NC) – passed by voice vote

   Directs a study on the development, use, and application of AI in space science.

• Amendment #22 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. McCormick (R-GA) – passed by voice vote

   Section 702 Skilled Technical Workforce Education Amendment

• Amendment #24 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Rivas (D-CA) – passed by voice vote

  Adds a new section to Title VII (STEM Education) directing NASA's Office of STEM Engagement to expand outreach to underserved communities and submit a report.

• Amendment #3 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Salinas (D-OR) – passed by voice vote

   Encourages NASA to partner with the private sector on STEM Education Outreach.

• Amendment #26 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Stevens (D-MI) – passed by voice vote

  Strengthens CLPS authorization to further lunar economy development and support the Artemis architecture.

• Amendment #6 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Amo (D-RI) – passed by voice vote

  This amendment would add the text of the TASA Act, which enhances U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in space.

• Amendment #92 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Begich (F-AK) and Mr. Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote

  Provides statutory authority for a research and development partnership between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

• Amendment #115 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Beyer (D-VA) and Rep. Subramanyam (D-VA) – withdrawn

   Protects certain space vehicles from harm accompanying potential future transfers.

• Amendment #21 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Gillen (D-NY) – passed by voice vote
  
  Directs the Administrator to expand research and technology consortia to support research and development across NASA mission areas and expand partnerships between industry, academia, and the public sector.

• Amendment #29 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Haridopolos (R-FL), Begich (R-AK), Whitesides (D-CA), Kennedy (R-UT), and Van Epps (R-TN) – passed by voice vote

  Finding of Congress that the general welfare of the U.S. requires that the administration seek and encourage the fullest commercial use of space.

• Amendment #28 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. McClain-Delaney (D-MD) – withdrawn

   Maintains the Integrated NASA-NOAA Program Office

• Amendment #30 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. McClain-Delaney (D-MD) – passed by voice vote

   Supports NASA Centers, including Goddard.

• Amendment #19 to H.R. 7273, offered by Ms. Salinas (D-OR) – withdrawn

  Requires a study on changes to the STEM Workforce and International Collaboration due to changing immigration enforcement policies.

• Amendment #14 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Self (R-TX) – passed by voice vote

  Eliminates outdated and duplicative NASA statutory reporting, consultation, and monitoring requirements across multiple programs.

• Amendment #20 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Self (R-TX) – passed by voice vote

  Directs NASA to study its additive manufacturing and 3D-printing policies, including approval processes and technical standards, identify barriers to wider use, and report recommendations to Congress to accelerate cost-effective space manufacturing.

• Amendment #31 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Webster (R-FL) – passed by voice vote

  Requires NASA to notify Congress after the Administrator becomes aware if a signatory to the Artemis Accords violates a transfer of technical data provision.

• Amendment #30 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Webster (R-FL) – passed by voice vote
  
  Directs NASA to advance the principles of openness, transparency, due process, appeals, and voluntary consensus, in consultation with the private sector, regarding the development of international standards

•  Amendment #32 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Webster (R-FL) – passed by voice vote

  Directs NASA to provide a briefing to Congress not later than 180 days after enactment on progress made toward establishing a digital infrastructure foundation and any additional resources required to support sustained adoption.

• Amendment #32 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote
  
  This amendment authorizes an independent assessment of NASA’s civil servant and contractor workforce to identify critical skill gaps and their impacts on current and future missions.

• Amendment #34 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Whitesides (D-CA) and Obernolte (R-CA) – passed by voice vote

  This amendment directs NASA to identify and maximize the use of successful Entry, Descent, and Landing technologies for future space missions, with a report on their applicability due in 180 days.

• Amendment #35 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Whitesides (D-CA)  – passed by voice vote
  
  This amendment requires NASA to maintain continuity with congressional funding intent and to provide timely notices to Congress on operating plans.

• Amendment #31 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote
  
  This amendment instructs NASA to incorporate recommendations from the 2023 PCAST Modernizing Wildland Firefighting Report.

• Amendment #35 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Whitesides (D-CA) and Obernolte (R-CA) – passed by voice vote
  
  This amendment recognizes the Deep Space Network as a critical asset and directs NASA to assess and plan for its continued maintenance, including a technical assessment of the Goldstone dish.

• Amendment #36 to H.R. 7273, offered by Reps. Whitesides (D-CA) and Begich (R-AK) – passed by voice vote

  This amendment requires NASA to analyze whether the International Space Station can be safely relocated and stored in orbit and to report its findings to Congress.

• Amendment #34 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote

  This amendment authorizes NASA to research, test, and demonstrate autonomous and semi-autonomous aerial systems in degraded environments.

• Amendment #37 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote

  This amendment reaffirms congressional support for NASA’s Planetary Science Division and emphasizes sustained funding for research, active missions, and decadal survey-guided exploration.

• Amendment #7 to H.R. 7273, offered by Rep. Stevens (D-MI) – failed by a recorded vote of 19-18

  Provides counter-UAS authorities to NASA.