WASHINGTON (September 1, 2026) — Today, Mary Guenther, Head of Space Policy at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), issued the following statement regarding H.R. 8255, the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act, unanimously advancing out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:
“PPI commends the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for unanimously advancing the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act, which will make satellite licensing more efficient and predictable to enable a globally competitive space sector.
“As PPI has noted, the United States is in a strategic power competition with China, and space is a critical front. Losing the upper hand in the ultimate high ground will make Americans less safe, less prosperous, and less able to reap the terrestrial benefits of space, as preserving American leadership in space is vital to the country’s economic and national security.
“Space may be far, far away, but the impacts of satellite systems are usually felt here on Earth. Just to name a few examples, satellites help communities newly able to access high-speed broadband from low-Earth orbit, enable first responders to detect and quickly respond to wildfires using satellite imagery, and provide GPS information that helps people get where they need to go in unfamiliar areas. This legislation will encourage future innovations in satellite applications to continue to improve the lives of everyday Americans.
“The Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act would help keep the U.S. regulatory system streamlined to keep the domestic space economy ahead of geopolitical adversaries and continue to improve the lives of everyday Americans.”
Founded in 1989, PPI is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Find an expert and learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Follow us at @ppi.
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Media Contact: Ian O’Keefe – iokeefe@ppionline.org
