American Space Leadership for the 21st Century Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9592
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-07-06: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T13:08:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to strengthen United States space security by authorizing the Secretary of State to lead diplomatic efforts against threats to space capabilities. It also requires regular consultations with Congress on space-related threats and supports cooperation with allies and partners. The bill emphasizes maintaining space as a secure domain for national security, economic growth, and technological leadership, while addressing risks from adversaries such as the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation.
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress: States that space security is essential to U.S. interests, supports coordination with allies through information sharing and joint capabilities, highlights the role of U.S. space companies in extending influence, notes growing threats to space systems, and reaffirms the 1967 Outer Space Treaty's ban on nuclear weapons in space.
- Countering Threats (Section 3): Directs the Secretary of State, through the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, to lead diplomatic efforts to assess and address threats from low Earth orbit to cislunar space. This includes working with allies to identify risks from cooperation with adversaries and promoting favorable international norms for behavior in space.
- Space Risk Reduction Measures (Section 4): Allows the Secretary to pursue international agreements and transparency measures to deter disruptions to U.S. and allied space systems, improve attribution of actions in space, increase costs for adversaries, reduce miscommunication risks, and prevent creation of space debris.
- International Agreements (Section 5): Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with allies and partners for information sharing and access to U.S. space capabilities, provided they align with U.S. national security priorities. Requires consultation with Congress before entering agreements and notification at least 15 days in advance. Clarifies that this does not change Senate treaty approval processes.
- Space Security Dialogues (Section 6): Permits the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to hold discussions with allies on integrating space issues into defense planning, investing in interoperable systems, strengthening supply chains, supporting U.S. companies, and coordinating diplomatic efforts.
- Congressional Consultations (Section 7): Requires the Secretary to consult appropriate congressional committees within 90 days of enactment and annually for three years on current and emerging threats. Topics include adversary intentions, nuclear weapon risks in space, counterspace systems, and barriers to U.S. company cooperation with allies. Additional notifications are required for significant changes in adversary space posture.
- Definitions (Section 8): Specifies that "appropriate congressional committees" refers to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new statutory authority for the Department of State to lead diplomatic activities on space security, which was not previously detailed in this form. It adds requirements for annual congressional consultations and notifications on space threats, as well as procedures for entering international agreements outside of formal treaties. The act references but does not alter Executive Order 14369 on space superiority.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Expands the Department of State's role in space diplomacy and coordination with the Department of Defense and other agencies, potentially increasing workload for diplomatic and security bureaus.
- Citizens: Indirect benefits may arise from enhanced protection of space-enabled services that support the economy, though no direct effects on individuals are specified.
- International Relations: Strengthens alliances through dialogues and agreements while aiming to deter actions by adversaries; could influence global norms on space behavior and risk reduction.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of State (primary implementer).
- The Department of Defense and other federal agencies involved in space activities.
- Congress (through required consultations and notifications).
- U.S. space companies (as tools for diplomacy and economic benefits).
- Allies and partners (through cooperation and dialogues).
- Adversaries such as the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation (as targets of diplomatic pressure).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill includes a rule of construction to preserve the Senate's role in advising and consenting to treaties under Article II of the Constitution, avoiding any shift in treaty-making authority. It emphasizes congressional oversight through mandatory briefings and notifications, which may enhance legislative involvement in foreign policy on space issues. No major constitutional conflicts are evident, as the authorities focus on executive diplomatic actions with built-in checks.
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
- 2026-07-06: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-07-06: Introduced in House
- 2026-07-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- American Space Leadership for the 21st Century Act — issued 2026-07-06 — PDF (10 pages)