CAPE Canaveral Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2422
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-08T15:16:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to relocate the headquarters of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from its current location in Washington, D.C., to Brevard County, Florida, to consolidate aerospace activities near key space facilities like Cape Canaveral.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is titled the "Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral Act" or the "CAPE Canaveral Act."
- Headquarters Transfer: NASA must complete the transfer of its headquarters to Brevard County, Florida, no later than one year after the bill's enactment into law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces a mandatory relocation of NASA's central administrative offices, which have historically been based in Washington, D.C., since the agency's founding in 1958. No other major amendments to NASA's organizational structure or operations are specified.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: NASA would face logistical challenges, including moving staff, offices, and operations, potentially incurring significant costs for relocation and short-term disruptions to administrative functions. It could enhance coordination with Florida-based space launch sites but might strain resources during the transition.
- On Citizens: Employees and their families may need to relocate, affecting personal lives and local economies in D.C. and Florida. Brevard County could see economic benefits from new jobs and increased federal presence.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though NASA's global collaborations (e.g., with international space partners) might experience temporary administrative delays during the move.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NASA and Its Employees: Directly impacted by the required headquarters move, including over 18,000 civil servants and contractors who may need to adapt to the change.
- Brevard County, Florida Residents and Local Businesses: Potential beneficiaries through job creation, infrastructure development, and boosted aerospace industry activity near Kennedy Space Center.
- U.S. Congress and Taxpayers: Sponsors (bipartisan Florida representatives) reflect regional interests; the move could influence federal budgeting and oversight of NASA.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill's directive is straightforward but could lead to implementation challenges, such as funding disputes or lawsuits over relocation costs, as it does not specify budget allocations. It relies on Congress's authority to organize federal agencies under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; Congress has broad power to direct executive agency operations, though the one-year deadline might raise questions about feasibility without additional enabling legislation.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship highlights regional priorities for Florida's space economy, potentially setting a precedent for decentralizing federal agencies from the capital, which could spark debates on efficiency versus tradition in government operations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (16)
Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at Canaveral Act — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (2 pages)