Space Exploration Research Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/2351
Last Updated: April 17, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

ID: C001098

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

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

April 12, 2026

Introduced

๐Ÿ“ Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

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Floor Action

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Passed Senate

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House Review

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Passed Congress

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Presidential Action

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Became Law

๐Ÿ“š How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. The Space Exploration Research Act, or S 2351, is a bill that promises to "supplement existing lease authorities" for NASA, because, you know, the previous lease agreements were just so... restrictive. (Sarcasm alert.)

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to grant NASA more flexibility in leasing its properties to various entities, including private companies, universities, and state governments. The stated objectives are to promote research, education, and training in the space industry, as well as to facilitate the transfer of technology between the public and private sectors. How quaint.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill allows NASA to lease its properties for up to 50 years (down from 99 years, because, you know, that was just too long) to entities that meet certain criteria, such as being a state government, a university, or a private company with a 501(c)(3) exemption. The Administrator of NASA can also delegate these authorities to subordinate officers and employees, because who needs accountability, anyway? The bill also overrides existing laws, including sections of the United States Code, because Congress knows better.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include NASA, private companies, universities, state governments, and anyone else who wants to get their hands on some sweet, sweet government property. The stakeholders are, of course, the taxpayers, who will be footing the bill for this grand adventure in space exploration. Oh, and let's not forget the lobbyists and special interest groups who will be lining up to influence the leasing process.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact of this bill is to further blur the lines between public and private interests, allowing corporations to profit from government property while minimizing their own risks. It's a classic case of privatization, where the benefits go to the few, and the costs are borne by the many. The implications are far-reaching, including the potential for crony capitalism, corruption, and the further erosion of public trust in government institutions.

In conclusion, the Space Exploration Research Act is a bill that promises much but delivers little. It's a Trojan horse for corporate interests, dressed up in the guise of promoting space exploration and research. The real disease here is the corrupting influence of money and power, which has infected every level of government. And we're just along for the ride, folks, as the politicians and their corporate masters continue to fleece us with impunity. Joy.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Transportation & Infrastructure Civil Rights & Liberties Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Small Business & Entrepreneurship State & Local Government Affairs National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures Government Operations & Accountability
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๐Ÿ’ฐ Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Congress 119 โ€ข 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$1,532,371
26 donors
PACs
$1,497,892
Organizations
$34,479
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0
1
WINRED
2 transactions
$1,497,892
1
FASKEN MANAGEMENT
1 transaction
$10,000
2
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF HARRISON COUNTY
1 transaction
$4,000
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
1 transaction
$3,300
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
5
FOLAD ENTERPRISES LLC
1 transaction
$2,000
6
JOHNSEY
4 transactions
$1,604
7
ALABAMA- COUSHATTA TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000
8
BALCH & BINGHAM LLP
1 transaction
$1,000
9
PARTNERS HOTEL GROUP LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
10
KHAT INVESTMENS LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
11
PJB INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC
1 transaction
$800
12
GRANT MORELAND LP LLC
1 transaction
$750
13
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
1 transaction
$750
14
MILLE'S LLC
1 transaction
$500
15
HARRY M BETTIS JR LLC
1 transaction
$500
16
ROBDON L.P.
1 transaction
$500
17
JAMES E. JOHNSON LLC
1 transaction
$500
18
FALSE RIVER VIEW LLC
1 transaction
$500
19
MURDOCK PROPERTIES LLC
1 transaction
$325
20
RESEDA HOLDINGS LLC
1 transaction
$250
21
DIXON RENTAL PROPERTIES LLC
1 transaction
$250
22
ROGERS LIVESTOCK LLC
1 transaction
$250
23
MISRASI CONCRETE LLC
1 transaction
$200
24
KONEHU LEGACY, LLC
1 transaction
$100
25
PACIFIC LIFESTYLE IMPORTS, LLC
1 transaction
$100

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 5 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

ID: P000145

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$5,000
Dec 24, 2024
2
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
Organization OROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
3
TOLOWA DEE-NI' NATION
Organization SMITH RIVER, CA
$3,300
May 7, 2024
4
TULE RIVER TRIBAL COUNCIL
Organization PORTERVILLE, CA
$3,300
Aug 12, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,500
Nov 22, 2023
6
ONEIDA NATION
Organization ONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Oct 3, 2023
7
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 5, 2023
8
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
Organization ONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Jun 21, 2024
9
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 16, 2024
10
KIMBER, SHELDON
INTERSECT POWER โ€ข CEO
Individual TRUCKEE, CA
$5,000
Apr 27, 2023

Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

ID: B001319

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
COM ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Nov 30, 2023
2
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
COM ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Nov 30, 2023
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 14, 2023
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Oct 11, 2024
5
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Oct 29, 2024
6
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
Organization RICHMOND, VA
$1,000
Jul 25, 2024
7
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 1, 2024
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Nov 9, 2023
9
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
10
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023

Sen. Lujรกn, Ben Ray [D-NM]

ID: L000570

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

ID: S001150

Top Contributors

10

1
KOI NATION OF NORTHERN CA
Organization SANTA ROSA, CA
$3,300
Feb 29, 2024
2
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Feb 26, 2024
3
KOI NATION OF NORTHERN CA
Organization SANTA ROSA, CA
$3,300
Feb 29, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Mar 1, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Mar 1, 2024
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Sep 6, 2023
7
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS GENERAL FUND
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Aug 9, 2023
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Sep 27, 2023
9
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS GENERAL FUND
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Aug 9, 2023
10
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Jul 21, 2023

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

ID: W000437

Top Contributors

10

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$25,000
Sep 13, 2024
2
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$15,000
Nov 5, 2024
3
WT CONSULTANTS LLC
Organization JACKSON, MS
$2,500
Jan 12, 2023
4
WAYPOINT CONSULTING, LLC
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Mar 26, 2024
5
HEDERMAN BROTHERS, LLC
Organization MADISON, MS
$1,000
Oct 9, 2024
6
CHOUEST, GARY
EDISON CHOUEST OFFSHORE, LLC โ€ข CEO
Individual GALLIANO, LA
$100,000
Dec 1, 2023
7
HALE, ROBERT T. JR.
GRANITE TELECOM โ€ข CEO
Individual BOSTON, MA
$100,000
Jun 28, 2023
8
BLUE, J. NEAL
GENERAL ATOMICS โ€ข CEO
Individual LA JOLLA, CA
$50,000
Dec 21, 2023
9
HALE, ROBERT T. JR.
GRANITE TELECOM โ€ข CEO
Individual BOSTON, MA
$50,000
Apr 12, 2024
10
DUFF, THOMAS M.
SOUTHERN TIRE MART โ€ข PRESIDENT
Individual HATTIESBURG, MS
$50,000
Sep 30, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 41 nodes and 42 connections

Total contributions: $1,606,271

Top Donors - Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

1 PAC25 Orgs