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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) issued the following statement on the House passage of the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 8958). This bipartisan legislation reaffirms our commitment to leading global space and science endeavors and emphasizes the importance of commercial partnerships and international collaboration in advancing space exploration and scientific research.

“Today’s bipartisan bill will keep NASA on track to return to the Moon, strengthen our leadership role in low-Earth orbit, enable further exploration of our solar system and universe, and push the boundaries of flight,” said Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin. “By cementing our goals and providing much-needed guidance, we ensure NASA’s continued success amongst changing administrations while enabling it to meet the rising challenge that the Chinese Communist Party poses in space. I thank Chairman Lucas for his support and will continue working to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

“NASA plays a pivotal role in driving our nation’s science and technology competitiveness,” said Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Frank Lucas. “Therefore, we must ensure the agency has the framework needed to navigate the increasingly competitive global space sector. H.R. 8958 is a comprehensive bill that provides NASA with the necessary direction to maintain our U.S. leadership in space and steer with our democratic values. This includes firm commitments to advancing human space exploration, direction for ongoing and future missions, and support for bold scientific research. Today’s passage of this critical Science Committee legislation is a much-needed step to ensure we advance as the world’s premier space agency while breaking barriers and pushing the limits of our achievements. Many thanks to Ranking Member Lofgren, Chairman Babin, and Ranking Member Sorensen for their leadership on this bill and all our members, staff, and stakeholders for their support and valuable input. I am eager for this bill to progress through the Senate and be signed into law. It’s been over seven years since we comprehensively reauthorized NASA. We must act swiftly to guarantee success now and for the future.” 

Highlights of the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024:

• Continues providing overarching support and direction for human space exploration, including the Artemis and Moon to Mars Programs.
• Directs the maximum possible utilization and productivity of the International Space Station while transitioning to a future supported by commercial services.
• Promotes space technology development, ensuring we have the appropriate tools and infrastructure as our deep space presence grows.
• Supports transformative aeronautics research and development by advancing the next generation of aviation technology.
• Fosters scientific discovery and expands our collective knowledge, encouraging NASA to maintain a balanced scientific portfolio with a steady cadence of missions.

Read the bill’s Fact Sheet and Section by Section.

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