# 119-s-2351: Space Exploration Research Act

119-s-2351, Space Exploration Research Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2351
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2351
- Congress: 119
- Title: Space Exploration Research Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-07-17
- Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**New long-term lease authority for NASA.** This bill would let NASA lease real property for up to 50 years to states, colleges, and tax-exempt nonprofits so they can run space and aeronautics research, education, training, and technology transfer activities. - For NASA: It would create a dedicated supplemental leasing tool and let the Administrator delegate leasing powers. NASA could enter back-lease arrangements, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and provide administrative or instructional support to partners, subject to available appropriations and on terms that protect U.S. interests. - For states, universities, and nonprofits: Eligible entities include the State where the property sits, state agencies, 501(c)(3) education or science organizations, and institutions of higher education. Those partners could hold and renew long-term leases to operate facilities for research, training, and related space activities. - For oversight and accountability: The bill would require an annual report due January 31 to House and Senate science committees documenting mission relevance, revenues and use of funds for NASA’s operating plan, the number of leases by center, and estimated cost savings from reduced maintenance and other quantifiable benefits.

## Cosponsors (5)

- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-07-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL] (R-AL), 2025-07-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-07-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-07-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (R-MS), 2025-07-17T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- NASA leases to states, colleges, nonprofits: benefit, low. If enacted, NASA would be allowed to lease land and buildings it controls to eligible partners for up to 50 years. Leases could be renewed and must be used for space and aeronautical research, education and training for space careers, technology transfer, and related scientific or academic activiti…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-2351 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2351)

## Related
- [119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1071)
- [119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2296)
- [119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4784)
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1241)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2351 (as of 2026-09-10).