Rep. Van Epps Celebrates the Advancement of the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 out of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Rep. Van Epps Celebrates the Advancement of the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 out of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) voted to advance the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 out of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. 

This legislation reaffirms America’s leadership in space by advancing human exploration of the Moon and Mars, supporting a growing commercial space economy in low-Earth orbit, and investing in next-generation space and aeronautics technologies. The bill also strengthens scientific discovery and workforce development to ensure the United States remains the world’s leading spacefaring nation.

Rep. Van Epps said, “As someone whose childhood dream was to be an astronaut, I feel especially honored and privileged to have worked on this important legislation. Today, we secured America’s future as the world’s preeminent spacefaring nation. This bipartisan bill provides a clear roadmap for NASA at a time when global competition—particularly from China—is fiercer than ever.” 

“Whether it’s marshaling this country’s most talented scientists and engineers to advance the Artemis program or fostering a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem for commercial space enterprise, this groundbreaking legislation will ensure the United States remains the global leader in space exploration, scientific discovery, and technological innovation,” he continued. 

The Congressman concluded, “At the same time, this legislation delivers real-world benefits here at home such as the Landsat program, which gives the agriculture industry reliable data to manage crops, water, and land more efficiently—something many farmers and growers in my district benefit from. Taken together, this bill ensures U.S. leadership in space while deploying cutting-edge technology that directly improves lives, strengthens local economies, and protects communities.”