(Washington, D.C.) – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin issued the following statement applauding the robust investments in NASA, scientific innovation, and American space leadership included in the One Big Beautiful Bill, which passed the House and now heads to the President’s desk.
“Today’s passage of the Big Beautiful Bill marks a bold step forward for America’s space program and science enterprise,” Chairman Babin said. “This legislation provides critical support to advance deep space exploration, land Americans back on the Moon, and continue laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars. It also restores the R&D tax credit for domestic research, which will strengthen U.S. competitiveness and help fuel private-sector investment in innovation, the fastest-growing source of research funding in the country. These measures not only reaffirm our leadership in space but also reinforce America’s broader scientific and technological edge. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.”
NASA and Space Investments Included in the Bill:
- $9.9 billion for NASA to support Artemis IV and V lunar missions, advance Mars mission development, maintain U.S. leadership in low Earth orbit, and bolster center operations—including $300?million for Johnson Space Center in Houston. This total also includes funding for the continued operation and safe deorbit of the International Space Station, including support for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle.
- $12.5 billion for aviation and air traffic control modernization, critical to strengthening the safety and efficiency of America’s aerospace infrastructure.
Science and Innovation Highlights:
- Restoration of the R&D tax credit for domestic research expenses, allowing companies to fully deduct these costs and significantly boosting private-sector investment in U.S.-based research and development.
While this bill delivers important gains for space and science, Chairman Babin also raised concerns about the commercial launch excise tax, which could hinder the growth of the U.S. commercial space sector.
“We intend to work closely with stakeholders to address these concerns in the forthcoming commercial space bill,” Babin said.