[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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