Bipartisan Leaders Advocate Passage of SAT Streamlining Act, Highlight Need to Clear Path for Space Innovation, Reduce Regulatory Bottlenecks and Expand Access to LEO Broadband

The Connect Everyone Coalition (CEC) applauds the introduction of the Satellite and Telecommunications (SAT) Streamlining Act in the U.S. House, led by Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-Kentucky) and Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The SAT Streamlining Act (H.R. 8255) would modernize and reform the satellite licensing process at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The bill would cut red tape and establish clearer deadlines for the FCC’s consideration of space operators’ licensing and market access applications — necessary steps to maintain and accelerate U.S. leadership in space.

This House action comes on the heels of the legislation’s momentum in the U.S. Senate. Companion legislation sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont) recently passed the Commerce Committee on a bipartisan basis with support from both Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Washington). It now awaits floor consideration and passage by the full Senate.

This commonsense legislation will help bring the FCC’s regulatory approach to space technologies into the 21^st century and cut down on duplicative processes and bureaucracy that risk holding U.S. space innovation back. Clearer processes, firmer review timelines and “deemed granted” provisions will support continued investment in space and the development and deployment of exciting new space-based technologies including low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband.

“We’re encouraged to see strong, bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate for this needed legislation,” said CEC executive director Richard Cullen. “Up-to-date space policies are vital to ensure that every American family and business has the fast, affordable and reliable broadband internet access they need and deserve. The reforms in this bill will support new jobs, greater investment and increased opportunity for the American people. We thank Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone for their leadership.”

Last week, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing titled, “SAT Streamlining Act: Modernizing Satellite Licensing for the Final Frontier.” Here is some of what bipartisan lawmakers had to say about the urgent need to modernize space policy:

U.S. Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02), Chairman, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce: “While the satellite industry has long provided essential services, we are increasingly relying on satellite-based services to help those who need to close the digital divide and offer support in moments of crisis. We’re also seeing new partnerships between satellite operators and mobile carriers have emerged to provide direct-to-device services to help improve coverage in communities that were previously unserved. Today, we’re considering the SAT Streamlining Act, which would update the Federal Communications Commission’s licensing rules for space… This is an imperative national security issue that will help us maintain our competitive edge against adversaries like the People’s Republic of China.”

U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC-09), Chairman, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology: “[S]atellite technology is playing an increasingly important role in our communications infrastructure. Satellites are helping us close the digital divide by providing broadband and other critical services in remote locations. In fact, these next generation satellite networks provide broadband at speeds and latency that rivals other forms of broadband service, connecting Americans who were previously unserved and underserved. Satellite-based services have also been transformational for our first responders when they need reliable communications the most. In my home state of North Carolina, when Hurricane Helene devastated terrestrial-based infrastructure, satellite was able to bridge the gap and keep first responders connected. Satellite-based services will also continue to impact other industries, including precision agriculture, maritime, aviation, logistics and supply chains, energy, mining and operations… This legislation is aimed at streamlining licensing of space-based communication services, providing more certainty for operators of these systems, and ultimately securing U.S. leadership in satellite communications technology for many years to come.”

U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Ranking Member, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology: “[S]atellites are no longer some niche part of our telecommunications ecosystem. They’re becoming a significant way America’s connecting and how businesses operate. As innovation in the satellite marketplace continues to accelerate, our policies need to keep pace. That’s especially true when it comes to the Federal Communications Commission’s licensing process, which reviews applications to operate satellite systems. If you want the United States to remain a global leader in communications technology, we need a process that is modern, predictable and efficient… That’s why bills like this matter. At its core, the Satellite Streamlining Act is about making sure the federal process keeps pace with today’s reality. It’s about improving efficiency, reducing unnecessary delay and giving innovators a clearer path to move from idea to deployment. That kind of streamlining can make a real difference because now, when we talk about satellite policy, we’re talking about whether families can get online; we’re talking about whether businesses in hard-to-reach areas can compete and whether patients can access telehealth.”

U.S. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-09): “This legislation would streamline the satellite licensing process at the Federal Communications Commission for certain satellite applications. It responds to the increase in applications for innovative space systems that are being filed with the FCC. To ensure that these systems are built and licensed in the United States, we must have a reasonable and balanced approach to evaluate them, and this legislation provides an important framework for achieving this. By simplifying the satellite licensing process, the SAT Act will accelerate innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of the United States satellite industry on the global stage.”

U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-TX-11): “Space-based broadband is exactly the type of American innovation that I think we expect and that Republicans in the Trump administration are working hard to accelerate. Streamlining the satellite regulations is critical in making that work.”

U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50): “The SAT Streamlining Act is a bipartisan proposal that aims to standardize the regulatory review process and prevent unnecessary licensing delays in the satellite sector, which supports vital services from GPS and weather forecasting to secure military communications. The reforms in this bill will help ensure continued American innovation, industry investment and U.S. leadership in the global space economy… If we in America want to keep pace with China, it’s critical we reform our licensing processes and equip U.S. companies with the tools they need to compete on the global stage.”

U.S. Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50): “Innovation in the commercial satellite sector strengthens the economy and empowers U.S. leadership in an interconnected world. An example of this is how mobile wireless providers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile partner with satellite companies to provide broadband and voice service to Americans who live in rural and hard to reach areas where we lack terrestrial coverage. Satellite technology also enables first responders to improve their emergency response efforts. And at UC San Diego, in my district, it helps researchers improve health outcomes. But as we’ve heard today, regulatory complexity and delays, in addition to rising costs, spectrum scarcity and coordination, and supply chain constraints, can slow down innovation in this vital industry.”

U.S. Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL-03): “Regulatory delays don’t just slow innovation, but they can actually prevent it from happening at all. We know that the regulatory environment strangles the life out of basically every industry, and this is no exception.”

U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02): “The satellite industry is evolving and the stakes for rural America are real. In my district alone, there are 4,500 farms. The majority of them are family-owned and they are the backbone of our food supply. Ensuring they have access to the latest agricultural technology is just not an economic priority. It is a food security priority.”

U.S. Representative Carter (D-LA-02): “We must continue to fund and support innovations in satellite technologies because I’ve seen firsthand how reliable systems and connectivity save lives. This is why legislation like the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act is so critical. By responsibly modernizing the satellite approval process, we can accelerate innovation and deploy advanced satellite technology faster while ensuring our communities are equipped with the most advanced tools in times of crisis, in times of need, in times of challenge.These are not just things to say. This is real. These are people’s lives.”

U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04): “I’m pleased to see this committee prioritizing legislation that supports our continued progress in space. The SAT Streamlining Act does just that by clarifying the FCC’s role in space and strengthening its statutory authority in reviewing satellite and Earth station applications, ensuring a more efficient, predictable, and timely licensing process. And at a time of intensifying global competition, particularly from nations like China who are moving aggressively to expand their presence in orbit, we can’t afford unnecessary regulatory delays that slow innovation or deployment. And this legislation will help provide certainty to the industry, support emerging technologies, and accelerate the deployment of next-gen connectivity, particularly for rural and underserved communities that stand to benefit the most. So simply put, if we want to lead in space, we must be able to move at the speed of innovation here on Earth.”

Read the full text of the SAT Streamlining Act HERE and watch the full hearing HERE.

Learn more about the SAT Streamlining Act HERE and HERE.

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