Weber introduces THE U.S. LEADERSHIP IN SPACE ACT OF 2019

Statement

On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX-14), introduced H.R. 5470, the U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2019.

H.R. 5470 extends International Space Station (ISS) operations from 2024 to 2030 and puts forward policies to promote the development and growth of a commercial market in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

"American leadership in low-Earth orbit is not only beneficial for science, but critical for our national security. As made clear in the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission's annual report to Congress, America must act to counter Chinese threats to America's presence in low-Earth orbit and to our domestic commercial launch and satellite sectors.

"We are truly living in an exciting time for space exploration and scientific discovery. President Trump and Vice President Pence are reinvigorating our nation's human spaceflight program with the task of returning U.S. astronauts to the moon, including the first woman by 2024. My bill would establish Johnson Space Center (JSC) as the Artemis program management office. Since its creation in 1961, JSC remains NASA's lead center for human spaceflight, serving as the global hub for managing and integrating complex activities associated with keeping astronauts alive and working in space. JSC led this charge not only to the Moon during the Apollo missions, but subsequently served as the location for the Space Shuttle, Space Station (ISS), Constellation, Orion, and Gateway programs.

Created for the coordination of critical and long-duration development activities for humans in space, JSC is the right choice for Artemis lead center," said Congressman Randy Weber.

The U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2019 also focuses on crew transportation safety and transparency.

"Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) supports the extension of the International Space Station (ISS) operations to 2030 included in Congressman Weber's bill, the U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2019 (H.R. 5470). ISS is important for scientific discovery and will continue to be crucial to commercial development in low-Earth orbit. BAHEP also supports designating Johnson Space Center (JSC) as the Artemis program management office for the coming manned missions to the moon and beyond. JSC has a long history and unique skillset when it comes to all components of human spaceflight and mission ops," said Bob Mitchell, President of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.

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