Science committee advances bipartisan package on space, research security, pipelines and low‑emission materials

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on Monday completed a bipartisan markup and ordered a package of bills favorably reported to the House, moving legislative steps on space operations, research security, pipeline research and lower‑emission construction materials.

Chairman Lucas opened the session by listing bills spanning NASA policy, research security and energy infrastructure. The first measure, HR 272, the ASTRO Act, was described by sponsor Rep. Babin as a targeted fix to reduce administrative burden: “The Astro Act will give a blanket approval to transport astronauts after their missions until they are medically cleared to drive,” he said, and the bill also requires NASA to send an annual report to Congress on how funds are used under the measure.

The committee also advanced HR 6219, the Ascend Act, which would permanently authorize NASA’s commercial small‑satellite data acquisition program to procure commercial Earth remote‑sensing data. Rep. Kane and lead cosponsor Rep. Bonamici said the program helps researchers and agencies gain improved data for disasters, agriculture and environmental management; Rep. Sykes’s amendment to prioritize broad non‑NASA use and, where practicable, U.S. vendors was agreed to.

Members backed HR 7687, the NASA Streamlining Partnerships Act (SPREES Act), to let NASA receive and merge funds from other federal agencies for collaborative research or education — authority supporters compared to long‑standing NSF practices — and HR 4152, the Space Resources Institute Act, directing NASA and Commerce to report to Congress on options for an institute to coordinate scientific work on in‑situ resource utilization.

Research security provisions drew sustained attention. HR 7630, the Anchor Act, would require a plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. academic research fleet. Sponsors warned of vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and espionage and cited recent incidents where research facilities were disabled by cyber incidents. Rep. Garcia requested insertion of a Wall Street Journal article into the record saying hackers have targeted maritime research and university networks.

A technical amendment to HR 7686 clarifying the statutory definition of a “malign foreign talent recruitment program” — used to implement research‑security restrictions under the CHIPS and Science Act — was adopted after members debated scope and a potential amendment from Rep. Tenney, who argued the definition should explicitly cover certain foreign adversaries and entities of concern; she withdrew that amendment for further review. Chairman Lucas said the substitute fixes placement in the U.S. Code and provides clarity for implementation at universities and federal agencies.

On energy and industrial research, the committee advanced HR 7073, the Next Generation Pipelines R&D Act, which establishes a DOE demonstration initiative and a national pipeline modernization center to accelerate leak detection and new materials. Rep. Weber cited a nationwide pipeline inventory and stressed R&D to protect public safety and enable transport of new fuels. An amendment to prioritize assistance for projects reducing environmental impacts in underserved and rural communities was adopted.

The committee also advanced HR 7685, the Impact Act, which directs DOE research, development and demonstration of lower‑emission technologies for cement, concrete and asphalt production. Rep. Miller and lead cosponsor Rep. Foushee framed the bill as a competitiveness and climate effort; members adopted manager and technical amendments.

Votes at a glance — committee reporting and tallies - HR 272 (ASTRO Act): ordered favorably reported to the House; recorded tally reported as 35 ayes, 0 nays. - HR 6219 (Ascend Act), as amended: ordered favorably reported; tally 37 ayes, 0 nays. - HR 7687 (NASA SPREES Act): ordered favorably reported; tally 37 ayes, 0 nays. - HR 4152 (Space Resources Institute Act), as amended: ordered favorably reported; tally 37 ayes, 0 nays. - HR 7630 (Anchor Act), as amended: ordered favorably reported; tally 38 ayes, 0 nays. - HR 7686 (malign foreign talent recruitment clarification), as amended: ordered favorably reported; tally 38 ayes, 0 nays. - HR 7073 (Next Generation Pipelines R&D Act), as amended: ordered favorably reported; tally 36 ayes, 0 nays. - HR 7685 (Impact Act), as amended: ordered favorably reported; tally 38 ayes, 0 nays.

Committee procedure and next steps Chairman Lucas asked staff to make any necessary technical and conforming edits to the bills; members were given two calendar days to submit supplemental or minority views. The committee adjourned following the series of roll‑call and recorded votes.

What this means Supporters framed the package as pragmatic, bipartisan steps to reduce administrative friction at NASA, expand use of commercial Earth observation data, strengthen research‑security safeguards and modernize aging infrastructure and industrial processes. Opponents did not register recorded opposition in committee votes; some members signaled a desire for further refinement on definitions used for research‑security enforcement and on how to prioritize community impacts in pipeline R&D.

(Reporting based on the committee’s public markup and remarks entered into the record.)