ALSTAR Act

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.

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.

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.

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. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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. 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. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.