H.R. 8321

[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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