U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee Advances Bipartisan Legislation To Modernize Satellite Licensing, Support Space Innovation and Connect More Communities to Reliable Broadband

In case you missed it, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously advanced the bipartisan Satellite and Telecommunications (SAT) Streamlining Act, H.R. 8255, by a 35-0 vote, sending the legislation to the full House for consideration. This action comes just weeks after the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology advanced the bill to the full committee for consideration. Introduced by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), the bill would modernize the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) satellite licensing process by establishing clearer timelines and a more predictable framework for satellite applications.

The SAT Streamlining Act would provide greater certainty for the development and deployment of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, helping space innovators bring new connectivity options to Americans nationwide. By reducing uncertainty in the licensing process, the legislation would help preserve U.S. leadership in satellite innovation while giving providers a clearer path to deploy next-generation services.

Here is what congressional leaders said about the need to modernize satellite licensing, strengthen U.S. innovation and competitiveness and better connect Americans with more broadband options:

U.S. Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02), Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce: “We are looking forward to advancing [the SAT Streamlining Act] on a bipartisan basis and continuing American leadership in the space economy. And to fully take advantage of this era of innovation, every American deserves access to fast, secure, reliable networks that will power advanced computing and digital applications… [W]e are getting closer to connecting every community so they can fully participate in the digital economy and pursue the American Dream.”

U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Ranking Member, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce: “There’s no doubt that satellites have an important role to play in keeping Americans safe and secure, and I expect consumers to rely on satellite technology in the years to come, as wireless carriers and phone manufacturers continue to add this capability to their networks and devices. And with this technology, if mobile consumers find themselves in an area without cellular service, whether it’s because of a lack of coverage, a result of a natural disaster or some other reason, they will continue to have the ability to reach first responders and loved ones during their time of need. By simplifying the satellite licensing process, the SAT Streamlining Act will accelerate innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of the United States satellite industry on the global stage.”

U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Ranking Member, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology: “I’m glad we’re moving forward on the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act. Satellites are becoming a much more important part of how Americans connect, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities. The FCC’s licensing process needs to keep pace with that growth. This bill would make licensing more efficient by creating clearer guidelines and a more predictable process for satellite and Earth station applications.”

U.S. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09): “In Central Florida, last year we had over 100 launches at Cape Canaveral – the district right next to ours – NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin, all humming with activity, and many of these are satellite missions to help with everything from GPS to your cell phones, to scientific experiments, defense, you name it… And now we’re continuing that process by focusing on satellites themselves with the SAT Streamlining Act, which establishes reasonable and balanced licensing processes for the FCC for satellites – and making sure that they could be built and licensed in the United States as we continue to pursue American space leadership. The space economy is going to increase exponentially over the next 10 to 20 years. We want to make sure that the manufacturing, the launch, the management of it, all these things happen in the USA.”

The recent House action also builds on bipartisan momentum in the U.S. Senate, where companion legislation, S. 3639, advanced out of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in February.

Read the full text of the SAT Streamlining Act HERE and read what industry experts have to say HERE.

Learn more about the SAT Streamlining Act HERE and HERE.

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