Political Quotes

“I am pleased this bill has passed today because it is critical in allowing United States launch companies to compete effectively in the growing commercial space race. The United States cannot afford to descend into another 'launch gap.' Our recent discussions over why U.S. satellites are being launched from China demands that the U.S. Senate act quickly to make the commercial launch environment in this country as progressive and productive as possible. When the space race began with the launch of Sputnik in October 1957, American citizens listened in indignation and fear as the first man-made satellite--a Soviet satellite--beeped its way around the earth. In the two decades that followed, an aggressive U.S. space program, both civil and military, brought our country back to its rightful lead in technology by putting a man on the moon and securing many other achievements in space.”