Lamar Smith: “I appreciate the longtime efforts of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey) to advance space initiatives. His efforts…”

“I appreciate the longtime efforts of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey) to advance space initiatives. His efforts are reflected in H.R. 5346, the Commercial Space Support Vehicle Act, which he authored and brings to the floor today. Maintaining and expanding America's leadership in human space activity, especially in the commercial space sector, is a priority of mine and of paramount importance to Mr. Posey and the members on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. The Commercial Space Support Vehicle Act was developed with input from the Department of Transportation as a new and better approach to streamline the licensing and permitting process of hybrid launch vehicles. Private companies would like to use space support vehicles to train crews and spaceflight participants by exposing them to the physiological effects and reduced gravity environment encountered in spaceflight, and many spaceports would like to encourage those companies to operate out of their facilities. H.R. 5346 provides the fairest, most appropriate regulatory approach by authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to develop regulations, according to the requirements of the bill, by March 1, 2019, thereby enabling licensed space support flights. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank Mr. Posey who is always a leader on space issues for taking the initiative on this bill. {time} 1430”