CDR: Re: House Passes Bipartisan Commercial Space Bill

[Declan McCullagh]

To do the poor-taste thing of following up on my own message:

I'm sure glad the House did such a thing. Without government help,
there would be no incentive for companies to go into space.

-Declan


On Wed, Oct 18, 2000 at 06:49:28PM -0400, Declan McCullagh wrote:
> 
> 
> Committee on Science
> F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., CHAIRMAN
> Ralph M. Hall, Texas, Ranking Democrat
> www.house.gov/science/welcome.htm
> 
> October 18, 2000
> 
> Press Contacts:
> Jeff Lungren (Jeff.Lungren at mail.house.gov)
> Jeff Donald (Jeffrey.Donald at mail.house.gov)
> (202) 225-4275
> 
> 
> HOUSE PASSES BIPARTISAN
> COMMERCIAL SPACE BILL
> 
> Bill Enhances U.S. Commercial Space Competitiveness
> By Extending Launch Indemnification
> 
> WASHINGTON, D.C. - With broad bipartisan support, the House yesterday passed
> H.R. 2607, the Commercial Space Transportation Competitiveness Act, by a
> voice vote.  The bill now goes to the President for final approval.
> 
> H.R. 2607 extends launch indemnification to the U.S. commercial launch
> industry for four more years, through the end of 2004.  The federal
> government first decided to indemnify commercial launch companies against
> catastrophic losses as a means of rebuilding a launch industry that was
> critical for national security.  In addition, the bill authorizes funds for
> the Offices of Advanced Space Transportation and Space Commerce in the
> Departments of Transportation and Commerce.
> 
> The bill's sponsor, Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Dana
> Rohrabacher, (R-CA) said, "Passage of H.R. 2607 signals continued
> congressional support of a highly competitive launch industry in today's
> global market.  This legislation enables the U.S. Government to maintain a
> stable business environment so that the private sector can become more
> competitive.  Moreover, by directing the Administration to examine more
> innovative legal approaches for indemnification, we begin a new chapter in
> U.S. space development in the 21st Century."
> 
> House Science Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., (R-WI) added,
> "By extending commercial launch indemnification, this bill helps build a
> solid foundation for commercial launch companies.  This foundation enhances
> our national security by encouraging private firms to invest in improving
> U.S. space launch capabilities and maintaining U.S. competitiveness with
> launchers from Europe, Russia, the Ukraine and China.  I hope the President
> will quickly sign this important bipartisan legislation into law."
> 
> Science Committee Ranking Minority Member Ralph M. Hall, (D-TX) said, "The
> Commercial Space Competitiveness Act was the top legislative priority for
> the American space launch industry. It is in our Nation's interest that we
> continue to be world leaders in the launch industry.  This bill provides the
> framework of support and incentives the industry indicates they need to keep
> their premier status. I am pleased that the Science Committee could play a
> central role in moving this legislation to completion."
> 
> Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Bart Gordon,
> (D-TN), also an original co-sponsor of the bill, noted, "The key achievement
> of this bill is an extension of the commercial space indemnification
> provisions.  Those provisions, first enacted in 1988, have provided a highly
> effective risk-sharing system that has helped our launch industry compete
> with the world.  Since their enactment 12 years ago, these provisions
> haven't cost the taxpayer one dollar in claims."
> 
> ###
> 106-164
> 
> 
> Jeff Donald
> Deputy Communications Director
> House Science Committee
> 2320 Rayburn House Office Building
> 202-225-4275 (phone)
> 202-226-3875 (fax)
>