This week, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Marco Rubio and Representatives Bill Posey and Darren Soto to introduce the bipartisan American Space Commerce Act to create jobs, advance technology and cement our nation’s place as the world leader in space.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Every day our nation is competing against known adversaries like Communist China and Russia in the space launch industry, and we must put American interests and national security first. I’m proud to cosponsor the American Space Commerce Act to enhance our nation’s self-reliance in the space industry, prioritize American businesses, and ensure our nation remains a leader in space exploration.”

Read more from Representative Posey’s office below.

POSEY, SOTO, RUBIO, SCOTT INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN SPACE LAUNCH LEGISLATION TO KEEP AMERICA FIRST IN SPACE

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Representatives Bill Posey (R-Florida) and Darren Soto (D-Florida) joined with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) to introduce bipartisan legislation aimed at creating jobs, advancing technology and cementing our nation’s place as the world leader in Space.

“Our domestic space launch industry is in our national security interest and America is up against unfair trade practices from nations like China and Russia that heavily subsidize space launches,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Posey. “Our bill provides a powerful incentive for our space firms to keep investing to support America’s growing commercial space sector, further advancing our leadership in space and securing the ultimate military high ground for years to come.”

“As the U.S. strives to strengthen our leadership in space exploration, it is critical for us to prioritize domestic investments and incentivize companies to launch on American soil. In Florida, this bipartisan effort would help our busy spaceport in Cape Canaveral continue to grow and thrive,” said U.S. Rep Darren Soto

“America’s commercial space industry is thriving, and its unique partnership with NASA is producing once unthinkable innovation and technological advances. Florida is at the center of incredible space innovation, which produces good paying jobs necessary for a strong economy and scientific breakthroughs that improve our daily lives. As nations such as China and Russia work to overtake us, we must do everything possible to ensure America’s leadership in space continues for generations to come,” said U.S. Senator Marco Rubio

“Every day our nation is competing against known adversaries like Communist China and Russia in the space launch industry, and we must put American interests and national security first. I’m proud to cosponsor the American Space Commerce Act to enhance our nation’s self-reliance in the space industry, prioritize American businesses, and ensure our nation remains a leader in space exploration,” said U.S. Senator Rick Scott.

“Space Florida applauds the introduction of the American Space Commerce Act by Representatives Posey, Soto, and Senator Rubio.  This bill will ensure that the U.S. remains the world leader in space by supporting the development of domestic launch capabilities.  It is the strength, innovation and agility of the commercial space marketplace which best enables American leadership in space,” said Space Florida President and CEO, Frank DiBello

The 2019 Report to Congress of the U.S. – China Economic and Security Review Commission states that “China is taking steps to establish a commanding position in the commercial launch and satellite sectors relying in part on aggressive state-backed financing that foreign market driven companies cannot match.” The report further adds, “China has already succeeded in undercutting some U.S. and other foreign launch and satellite providers in the international market, threatening to hollow out these countries’ space industrial bases.”

Specifically, the American Space Commerce Act, will level the playing field by extending existing space launch tax incentives for an additional ten years for companies that launch their payloads from the United States. By doing this the bill helps free up more capital to allow American space companies to continue to invest in developing new technology and launching future space missions from the United States.

Congressman Posey first introduced his bipartisan legislation in 2020 and support for this commonsense measure has only grown, with Senators Rubio and Scott joining to lead the Senate effort and introducing companion legislation in the 118^th Congress.

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