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S. 2351 119th Congress Senate

Space Exploration Research Act

Official title: A bill to supplement existing lease authorities available to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to support research, educat… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to supplement existing lease authorities available to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to support research, education, and training, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 17, 2025 Introduced by: Ted Cruz Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Employment and training programsLand transfersPublic-private cooperationResearch and developmentSpace flight and exploration
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 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 13, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 369.
Apr 13, 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-117.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 17, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 17, 2025
Introduced in Senate
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What's happening now April 13, 2026

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 369.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Space Exploration Research Act

This bill explicitly authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to lease its properties to states and localities, universities, and nonprofit organizations to conduct space research and training. (Under current law, NASA is authorized to lease property to individuals and entities subject to specified conditions.)

Under the bill, NASA may use existing authorities to lease property under its jurisdiction to (1) the state in which the property is located or a subdivision thereof, (2) a nonprofit organization founded for educational or scientific purposes, or (3) an institution of higher education. NASA may also enter into agreements to lease back such property.

Construction and operations on leased property must serve a space-related purpose relevant to NASA’s mission. NASA may provide administrative, instructional, and other appropriate support to lessees.

NASA must report annually to Congress on the relevance, value, and other quantifiable benefits of the lease agreements.

 Hearings & markups 1
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 5
All 5 Democratic 3 Republican 2
R
Britt, Katie Boyd
Alabama · Jul 17, 2025
 D
Luján, Ben Ray
New Mexico · Jul 17, 2025
 D
Padilla, Alex
California · Jul 17, 2025
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Jul 17, 2025
 R
Wicker, Roger F.
Mississippi · Jul 17, 2025
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2351: Space Exploration Research Act. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-2351/
MLA
"S. 2351: Space Exploration Research Act." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-2351/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2351, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-2351/.
Markdown link
[S. 2351: Space Exploration Research Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-2351/)
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