Industry witnesses and former NASA leadership told the Senate Commerce Committee that a sustained U.S. presence in low Earth orbit (LEO) and a Gateway lunar platform are poised to deliver commercial and scientific returns—if Congress funds and Congress and NASA provide continuity. Michael Gold of Redwire described microgravity manufacturing and biofabrication experiments on the ISS that the company says have produced larger, more uniform drug crystals and 3‑D printed tissues, and he urged continued investment to ensure those benefits occur in the United States rather than abroad. "There is no question in my mind that microgravity manufacturing will transform the pharmaceutical and biotech fields," Gold said. Why it matters: witnesses tied LEO and Gateway capabilities to economic, diplomatic and scientific outcomes: - Microgravity uses on the ISS and future commercial stations were presented as enabling advanced pharmaceuticals and regenerative medicine (Gold and Jim Bridenstine discussed printing meniscus and cardiovascular tissue). - Redwire and other witnesses noted international partner investments in Gateway; Michael Gold said more than 60 percent of Gateway costs are being carried by international partners and that pulling back would risk losing those contributions. - Witnesses stressed the need for multiple commercial providers for low‑Earth‑orbit destinations to provide redundancy, competition and continued access when the ISS retires. - Panelists discussed infrastructure elements that would enable sustained lunar activity: nuclear surface power, Gateway's power and propulsion element, on‑orbit manufacturing and in‑space refueling. Jim Bridenstine cautioned the committee that the current lunar landing architecture depends on several untested operations and said NASA and Congress should scrutinize those risks. Discussion vs. action: testimony consisted of industry and former administration perspectives and recommendations; no contractual awards or program changes were announced at the hearing. Senators asked witnesses to provide additional technical detail and written follow‑up on workforce, launch capacity and university partnerships. Ending: Witnesses urged continued congressional support for NASA programs and for policies that enable private capital to participate with clear rules and multiple providers; they warned that funding uncertainty and program gaps could drive capability and commercial investment overseas.