Bills · S 980
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 980Transportation and Public Works
Alleviating Spaceport Traffic by Rewarding Operators Act of 2025
INTRO MAR 12· LAST ACTION MAR 12
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to support the growing commercial space industry in the U.S. By providing funds for improving ground infrastructure at spaceports, the bill could help make space launches more efficient, safer, and potentially less expensive. This could strengthen America's position in the global space economy, create jobs in the space sector, and encourage innovation.
If this bill becomes law, spaceports across the country could receive financial assistance to upgrade facilities, which might lead to more frequent launches and a more robust space economy. If it doesn't become law, spaceport infrastructure improvements would likely continue to rely solely on private investment or existing, potentially more competitive, federal funding streams, which might slow down growth and modernization in the industry.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a pilot program for the Secretary of Transportation to issue grants to operators of launch and reentry sites.
This creates a new federal funding stream specifically for spaceport infrastructure.
PROVISION 02
Grants are calculated based on the number of licensed ($250,000) or permitted ($100,000) launch and reentry operations in the previous year, with a maximum of $2.5 million per year.
This ties funding directly to activity levels at spaceports, incentivizing more operations.
PROVISION 03
Allows for supplemental grants if a state, local, tribal, or private entity provides matching funds, potentially increasing the total grant to an operator.
This encourages partnerships and additional investment from non-federal sources.
PROVISION 04
Sets a total annual funding cap of $20 million for all grants issued under the program.
This limits the overall financial commitment of the federal government to the program.
PROVISION 05
The pilot program will sunset (end) on October 1, 2030.
This makes the program temporary, allowing for evaluation before deciding on permanent implementation.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· Virginia
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
55
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAR 12
Introduced in Senate
MAR 12
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 980
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 12, 2025
Last actionMar 12, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 12, 2025
Senate BillS 980Transportation and Public Works
Alleviating Spaceport Traffic by Rewarding Operators Act of 2025
INTRODUCED MAR 12, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 12, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
