[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8321 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8321
To promote peaceful space exploration, expand participation in the
Artemis Accords, establish norms for safe and sustainable space
activities, and advance national security and economic competitiveness
through leadership in space.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 16, 2026
Mr. Moskowitz (for himself and Mrs. Luna) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote peaceful space exploration, expand participation in the
Artemis Accords, establish norms for safe and sustainable space
activities, and advance national security and economic competitiveness
through leadership in space.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Artemis Accords Authorization Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States has long been a global leader in
space exploration, scientific discovery, and the development of
technologies that benefit both national security and economic
growth.
(2) The Artemis program, led by the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA), represents the next phase of
human space exploration, including returning humans to the Moon
and establishing a sustainable presence for future missions to
Mars.
(3) The Artemis Accords were first introduced in 2020 by
NASA, in coordination with the Department of State and seven
other initial signatory countries, including Australia, Canada,
Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, and the
United Kingdom.
(4) Over the last five years, the Artemis Accords have
expanded to 61 signatories.
(5) The Artemis Accords reinforce the commitment by
signatory nations to foundational space law instruments--
including the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention,
and the Rescue and Return Agreement--while also promoting best
practices and norms for responsible civil space exploration and
use.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to promote the peaceful exploration and use of outer
space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies,
consistent with international law;
(2) to strengthen international cooperation through the
Artemis Accords as a framework for transparency, compatibility,
and responsible behavior in space;
(3) to maintain United States leadership in civil space
exploration, scientific discovery, and commercial space
development;
(4) to support the development of norms and standards that
ensure the safety, sustainability, and long-term viability of
space activities;
(5) to expand participation in the Artemis Accords among
allies and partners, particularly in strategically significant
regions;
(6) to counter efforts by strategic competitors to shape
space governance in ways that are inconsistent with democratic
values, transparency, and the rule of law; and
(7) to advance United States national security, economic
competitiveness, and diplomatic engagement through sustained
leadership in space exploration initiatives.
SEC. 4. SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR THE ARTEMIS ACCORDS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State is authorized to establish,
carry out, and broaden the Artemis Accords espousing the principles set
forth in section 3.
(b) Special Coordinator.--There shall be a Special Coordinator for
the Artemis Accords, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State
and shall report to Assistant Secretary for Oceans, International
Environment and Scientific Affairs.
(c) Duties.--The Special Coordinator shall be responsible for--
(1) leading diplomatic efforts to expand participation in
the Artemis Accords;
(2) coordinating United States engagement with foreign
governments, international organizations, and commercial
partners regarding civil space cooperation;
(3) supporting the development of international norms
governing lunar activities, space resource extraction, and
space traffic management;
(4) coordinating with relevant United States agencies,
including--
(A) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA);
(B) the Department of Commerce;
(C) the Department of Defense; and
(D) the Office of Space Commerce;
(5) engaging with United States industry stakeholders to
advance public-private partnerships in support of the Artemis
program; and
(6) advising the Department on strategies to ensure that
United States leadership in space is aligned with broader
foreign policy and national security objectives.
SEC. 5. REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for four years, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of NASA,
shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, a
report that includes--
(1) a list of countries participating in the Artemis
Accords and any new signatories during the reporting period;
(2) a description of diplomatic efforts undertaken by the
United States to expand participation in the Artemis Accords;
(3) an assessment of compliance by participating countries
with the principles of the Artemis Accords;
(4) a description of ongoing and planned cooperative
activities related to lunar exploration and other space
missions;
(5) an evaluation of the role of United States commercial
entities in Artemis-related partnerships;
(6) an assessment of challenges to international
cooperation in space, including geopolitical competition,
regulatory barriers, and technological compatibility;
(7) a description of efforts by the People's Republic of
China and the Russian Federation to influence global space
governance and how such efforts impact United States interests;
and
(8) recommendations to strengthen United States leadership
in international space cooperation.
(b) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted
in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
SEC. 6. STRATEGY.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) low-earth orbit satellite technology is crucial for
maintaining United States leadership in the 21st century in
both military and civil technology domains;
(2) low-earth orbit satellite technology has potential to
serve as an anti-censorship and pro free speech technology
around the world;
(3) low-earth orbit satellite technology has incredible
humanitarian potential to connect hundreds of millions people
to the internet and the modern global economy; and
(4) instruments of the United States Government should be
used to promote the export, use, and potential of American low-
earth orbit satellite technology.
(b) Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development
Finance Corporation, the Director of the United States Trade and
Development Agency, and the heads of other Federal departments and
agencies, as appropriate, shall submit to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate a strategy on the integration of low-earth
orbit satellite technologies and high-altitude platform systems into
United States foreign policy.
(c) Elements.--The strategy required by subsection (b) shall
include efforts and plans to--
(1) use feasibility studies to promote low-earth orbit
satellite technology as a form of connectivity;
(2) offer loans, guarantees, insurance or other financial
products to help countries procure low-earth orbit satellite
technologies;
(3) directly provide low-earth orbit satellite technologies
to countries when consistent with the United States' national
interest;
(4) regulate, as appropriate, the export of controlled low-
earth orbit satellite technologies to ensure continued American
technological leadership and the misuse of the technology
inconsistent with our policies and values; and
(5) impose possible restrictions on strategic competitor's
alternatives to American low-earth orbit satellite
technologies.
(d) Form.--The strategy required by subsection (b) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
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