ASTRO Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2984
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-29: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2025-08-28T08:05:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Astronaut Safe Temporary Ride Options Act (ASTRO Act), H.R. 2984, aims to ensure safe transportation for federal officers and employees returning from space missions. It authorizes the use of government vehicles for these individuals under specific medical or official duty conditions, prioritizing their safety before they are cleared to drive after space travel.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Government Vehicle Use: Adds a new exception to 31 U.S.C. § 1344(b), allowing federally owned vehicles to transport officers or employees returning from space if the travel is needed for medical research, monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, or other official duties approved by the NASA Administrator. This applies only until the individual receives post-flight medical clearance to operate a motor vehicle.
- Annual Reporting Requirement: The NASA Administrator must submit yearly reports to designated congressional committees (House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; House Committee on Oversight and Accountability; Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs). Reports cover the prior 12 months and include:
- Details for each transported individual: description of the transportation, name, and associated costs.
- Total number of transportation instances.
- Overall total cost.
- No Additional Funding: The Act prohibits authorizing any new appropriations to implement it or its amendments, relying on existing resources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the list of authorized uses for government passenger motor vehicles under 31 U.S.C. § 1344(b), which previously included nine specific scenarios (e.g., transportation for official duties or emergencies). The new paragraph (10) introduces the first space-related exception, focusing on post-mission safety and medical needs.
- Introduces mandatory transparency through annual reports, which did not previously exist for this type of transportation.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Primarily affects NASA by formalizing safe transport protocols for returning astronauts, potentially reducing risks from post-spaceflight impairments (e.g., disorientation or fatigue). Other federal agencies with space-involved personnel may also benefit. No new costs are authorized, so agencies must manage within current budgets.
- On Citizens: Minimal direct impact, though it indirectly supports public safety by ensuring mission-critical personnel can continue duties without personal vehicle use immediately after space travel.
- On International Relations: Limited effects, but could enhance U.S. space program reliability in collaborations (e.g., with international partners like the International Space Station), promoting safer joint operations.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Officers and Employees: Astronauts and space mission participants who gain authorized, safe transportation options post-mission.
- NASA: Responsible for approvals, implementation, and reporting; bears the primary administrative burden.
- Congressional Committees: Oversight bodies receiving reports, ensuring accountability in vehicle use and costs.
- General Taxpayers: Indirectly affected, as the provision uses existing federal funds without new appropriations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens adherence to federal vehicle use rules (31 U.S.C. § 1344) by adding a targeted exception, avoiding misuse while addressing space-specific health risks. The reporting mandate promotes transparency and prevents abuse, aligning with accountability principles in federal law.
- Constitutional: No major issues; it operates within Congress's authority over federal spending and agency operations (Article I, Section 8), without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Represents a narrow, practical update to support the U.S. space program amid growing commercial and international space activities. By prohibiting new funding, it emphasizes fiscal restraint, potentially appealing across party lines in budget-conscious environments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-29: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 2025-04-29: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-04-24: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-24: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-24: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Astronaut Safe Temporary Ride Options Act — issued 2025-04-24 — PDF (3 pages)