[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5769-H5770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED ROCKETRY ACT

  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 5345) to designate the Marshall Space Flight Center 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to provide 
leadership for the U.S. rocket propulsion industrial base, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5345

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``American Leadership in Space 
     Technology and Advanced Rocketry Act'' or the ``ALSTAR Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Non-military rocket propulsion is an enabling 
     technology for our Nation's future prosperous way of life.
       (2) Non-military rocket propulsion technologies are 
     critical to national security, intelligence gathering, 
     communications, weather forecasting, navigation, 
     communications, entertainment, land use, Earth observation, 
     and scientific exploration.
       (3) The non-military rocket propulsion industry is a source 
     of high-quality jobs.
       (4) Multiple Federal agencies and companies are involved in 
     non-military rocket propulsion research, development, and 
     manufacturing.
       (5) Integration, coordination, and cooperation would 
     strengthen the United States non-military rocket propulsion 
     industrial base.
       (6) Erosion of the non-military rocket propulsion 
     industrial base would seriously impact national security, 
     space exploration potential, and economic growth.
       (7) The Marshall Space Flight Center has decades of 
     experience working with other Government agencies and 
     industry partners to study and coordinate these capabilities.
       (8) The Marshall Space Flight Center has made historic and 
     unique contributions--
       (A) by bringing stakeholders together to work on non-
     military rocket propulsion industrial base sustainment;
       (B) of technical expertise to key studies and review 
     boards; and
       (C) by consistently participating in interagency working 
     groups to address non-military rocket propulsion issues.

     SEC. 3. NON-MILITARY ROCKET PROPULSION LEADERSHIP.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Marshall Space Flight Center is the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration's lead center for non-military 
     rocket propulsion and is essential to sustaining and 
     promoting U.S. leadership in non-military rocket propulsion 
     and developing the next generation of non-military rocket 
     propulsion capabilities.
       (b) Leadership in Non-military Rocket Propulsion.--The 
     Marshall Space Flight Center shall provide national 
     leadership in NASA in non-military rocket propulsion by--
       (1) contributing to interagency coordination for the 
     preservation of critical national non-military rocket 
     propulsion capabilities;
       (2) collaborating with industry, academia, and professional 
     organizations to most effectively use national capabilities 
     and resources;
       (3) monitoring public- and private-sector non-military 
     rocket propulsion activities to develop and promote a strong, 
     healthy non-military rocket propulsion industrial base;
       (4) facilitating technical solutions for existing and 
     emerging non-military rocket propulsion challenges;
       (5) supporting the development and refinement of non-
     military rocket propulsion for small satellites;
       (6) evaluating and recommending, as appropriate, new non-
     military rocket propulsion technologies for further 
     development; and
       (7) providing information required by national 
     decisionmakers so that policies and other instruments of the 
     Government support the development and strengthening of the 
     Nation's non-military rocket propulsion capabilities 
     throughout the 21st century.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Brooks) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
to include extraneous material on H.R. 5345, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Alabama?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as the Congressman for the Tennessee Valley of the State 
of Alabama, I am uniquely situated to appreciate the valuable 
contribution the Marshall Space Flight Center has made and continues to 
make to America's rocket propulsion capabilities.
  As a child growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, I well remember the 
1960s as nearby Saturn V rocket engine tests shook the ground and 
rattled the windows. I also remember the great pride in America I felt 
the moment Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon after leaving the Earth 
on one of our Saturn V rockets.
  No doubt about it, developing and improving rocket propulsion is 
essential to America's leadership in space exploration and national 
security.
  It has been the Marshall Space Flight Center that has provided and 
continues to provide the cutting-edge expertise America needs in both 
solid and liquid rocket propulsion.

                              {time}  1415

  Over the last several years, Americans have witnessed a resurgence in 
the rocket propulsion industry. As traditional and emerging actors move 
forward, it is important that the Federal Government minimize expensive 
duplication and support healthy cooperation and communication between 
the private sector and the Federal Government to promote America's 
robust rocket propulsion industry.
  With President Trump's establishment of Space Force as an independent 
branch of the military, rocket propulsion is recognized as even more 
important to securing America's future than ever before because 
America's military relies heavily on its space assets--global 
positioning satellites being but one example--to protect our national 
security.
  As Congress guides America's national space policy, we must promote 
the robust rocket propulsion industrial base that is essential to our 
space presence.
  My bill, H.R. 5345, the American Leadership in Space Technology and 
Advanced Rocketry Act of 2018, commonly known as the ALSTAR Act, helps 
ensure the long-term stability of the rocket propulsion industry 
through better coordination and collaboration between all relevant 
stakeholders, public and private.
  Specifically, the ALSTAR Act formally designates Marshall Space 
Flight Center as NASA's current and future lead center for rocket 
propulsion.
  In addition, the ALSTAR Act directs Marshall to explore, develop, and 
mature new rocket propulsion technology in cooperation with partners 
across and outside of government. This new emphasis, while building on 
a strong foundation, helps to ensure that America remains at the 
forefront of space exploration.
  Mr. Speaker, in the 1940s and 1950s, voyages to the Moon were thought 
impossible, but America rose to the challenge and overcame the 
impossible. Today, America must, once again, challenge itself to reach 
far beyond its limits.
  Through our increased attention, focus, and support of utilization of 
space and the exploration of deep space, we too can overcome the 
impossible and help inspire the next generation of Americans to look to 
the stars and go where no one has gone before.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support a robust and innovative space industry. I also 
believe that it is very important that we leverage the investment 
taxpayers have allowed the Nation to make in its facilities and 
workforce.
  The bill before us today that is known as H.R. 5345, also known as 
the American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced Rocketry Act, 
recognizes the rocket propulsion work of the Marshall Space Flight 
Center and that center's role in helping to develop the next generation 
of rocket propulsion capabilities. The Marshall Space Flight Center has 
a long and storied history in rocket development dating back to the 
huge Saturn V rockets that powered our astronauts to the Moon. That 
tradition continues to this day.
  Mr. Speaker, I support moving this bill out of the House floor, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H5770]]

  

  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the vice chairman of the 
Space Subcommittee for yielding me time, and I appreciate all that Mr. 
Brooks, the gentleman from Alabama, has done for space exploration and 
for spaceflight.
  The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee has demonstrated 
time and again that U.S. leadership in space is a bipartisan priority. 
The scientists, engineers, and technicians at the Marshall Space Flight 
Center in Huntsville, Alabama, have, for more than half a century, led 
the world in the development of rocket propulsion.
  H.R. 5345, the American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced 
Rocketry Act, recognizes the impressive accomplishments of Marshall as 
well as vital, ongoing work they continue to do to ensure continued 
American leadership in space technology and rocketry capabilities.
  As our future in space looks bolder, bigger, and brighter, I am 
confident that Marshall will continue to be a reliable, powerful, and 
dependable team player in moving this Nation forward.
  Mr. Speaker, Vice Chairman Brooks has always been a strong and 
effective advocate for space initiatives and Marshall Space Flight 
Center. I appreciate all he has done on the subject, and I very much 
appreciate his being such a leader on the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee.
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).
  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and it is a privilege to work 
with Representative Mo Brooks on the Space Subcommittee advancing our 
Nation's priorities and doing our part to ensure strong leadership in 
America's space program.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for this important bill. 
He is a true champion of Marshall Space Flight Center, the center's 
employees, and the important work they do every day to keep America 
first in space.
  The excitement and enthusiasm about our Government and private space 
activities have been building toward a fever pitch. The fine 
scientists, engineers, and technicians at Marshall Space Flight Center 
have for more than half a century led the world in the development of 
rocket propulsion.
  This bill recognizes the impressive accomplishments of Marshall as 
well as the vital, ongoing work they continue to do to ensure continued 
American leadership in space.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have worked on and cosponsored this 
legislation with my colleague, Mr. Brooks. As our future in space looks 
bolder and brighter, I am confident that the Marshall Space Flight 
Center will continue to be a reliable, powerful, and dependable team 
player moving this Nation forward.
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Brooks) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5345, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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