ASCEND Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2600) to require the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to establish a program to identify, evaluate, acquire, and disseminate commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery in order to satisfy the scientific, operational, and educational requirements of the Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2600, the bill that is now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2600, the ASCEND Act, sponsored by Representatives Hurd and Bonamici.

Commercial remote sensing is an increasingly important part of the growing space economy. In recent years, technological advancements and lower launch costs have enabled American companies to expand their remote sensing capabilities and to deliver innovative, high-quality satellite data at competitive prices.

Recognizing this potential, NASA established a pilot program in 2017 to assess how the agency could leverage commercial satellite data to support mission objectives.

Through this effort, NASA gained valuable experience working directly with the commercial sector. The agency evaluated available satellite data, explored how it could advance scientific research and applications, and developed acquisition approaches that allowed for appropriate government use and dissemination.

The pilot program demonstrated that commercially provided datasets can effectively complement NASA's existing capabilities. The ASCEND Act builds on that success by authorizing the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition program within NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

This legislation ensures that NASA can continue to evaluate, access, and utilize cost-effective, cutting-edge commercial data to advance its scientific research and applications. At the same time, it supports the growth of the space economy and strengthens the United States leadership in space.

I thank Representatives Hurd and Bonamici for their bipartisan work to bring this bill to the House floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the ASCEND Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, over the past two decades, the United States commercial space sector has experienced significant growth and maturity.

The Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition pilot program that NASA launched in 2017 is one example of how the agency has embraced this evolution.

By enabling the continued acquisition of commercial satellite data, the ASCEND Act will complement NASA's scientific efforts and ensure that the agency has access to the innovative capabilities being developed by America's commercial space sector. The ability to procure this data will strengthen U.S. leadership in the global space industry.

Again, I thank Representatives Hurd, Kean, and Bonamici for their work on this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2600, the Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act, the ASCEND Act.

This bill builds on a model that already works. In 2017, NASA launched the Commercial Small Satellite Data Acquisition Pilot Program to test whether commercially available Earth observation data could support NASA's scientific missions. The results were clear: Participating scientists found the data reliable, valuable, and highly effective across a broad range of research applications.

The ASCEND Act takes that successful pilot and makes it permanent. It directs NASA to formally establish a commercial satellite acquisition program within the Science Mission Directorate so that the agency can routinely access cost-effective commercial data to complement its own Earth observation missions.

This is a practical approach. Instead of duplicating capabilities, NASA can leverage private-sector innovation. Through commercial licensing, researchers gain access to high-quality satellite data that supports wildfire response, agricultural monitoring, disaster preparedness, reforestation, and environmental tracking. That data translates directly into better decisionmaking on the ground.

This is a model where private investment strengthens public missions, and it supports American jobs, including in Colorado's growing commercial space sector.

The bill also includes appropriate oversight. It requires an annual report to Congress detailing the data acquired, its sources, how it is used within NASA, as well as its measurable impact. That transparency ensures accountability while allowing the program to grow.

At a time when commercial space innovation is accelerating rapidly, Congress should ensure NASA has the flexibility to use the best tools available. The ASCEND Act strengthens America's scientific leadership, supports our domestic space industry, and ensures taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.

I thank Chairman Babin for advancing my bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2600.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the ASCEND Act. The bill would codify the successful Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition pilot program.

The data acquired from the pilot project was shown to complement Earth observations from NASA's fleet of satellites and instruments. NASA has continued these activities as the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Pilot Program.

This bill also allows us to acquire commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from vendors. The bill also includes provisions to support data publication, transparency, and reports to Congress, and to ensure the widest possible use of the data procured under the program consistent with program goals.

This bill supports both science and our commercial remote sensing industry, such as companies in my home Commonwealth of Virginia, by augmenting scientific research with additional sources of data and leveraging commercial capabilities.

I thank the bill's sponsors for their work on the ASCEND Act and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, as well.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Mr. Hurd and Ms. Bonamici, for their work on this legislation. It is a great bill. I am a cosponsor myself. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2600, and I yield back the balance of my time.