H.R. 2458 Passed the House Science, Technology, Communications

Secure Space Act of 2025

To amend the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from granting a license or United States market access for a geostationary orbit satellite system or a nongeostationary orbit satellite system, or an authorization to use an individually licensed earth station or a blanket-licensed earth station, if the license, grant of market access, or authorization would be held or controlled by an entity that produces or provides any covered communications equipment or service or an affiliate of such an entity, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] Introduced March 27, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 R) Latest action April 29, 2025

Summary

Secure Space Act of 2025
This bill prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting satellite licenses or earth station authorizations, including U.S. market access for foreign-licensed satellites, to specified foreign entities of concern and their affiliates. (Earth stations, also commonly known as ground stations, are earth-based radio stations that communicate with satellites. A grant of U.S. market access permits one or more foreign-licensed satellites to communicate with one or more U.S.-licensed earth stations.)
Specifically, the FCC may not grant a satellite license, an earth station authorization, or market access to any entity, or an affiliate thereof, that produces or provides communications equipment or services deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States. (The FCC maintains a list of such equipment and services, known as the Covered List. Providers of such equipment and services include, for example, Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation.) 

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Apr 29, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Apr 28, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Apr 28, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1652)
  4. Apr 28, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2458.
  5. Apr 28, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1652-1653)
  6. Apr 28, 2025 Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  7. Apr 24, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 42.
  8. Apr 24, 2025 Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-65.
  9. Apr 8, 2025 Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 52 - 1.
  10. Apr 8, 2025 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  11. Mar 27, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  12. Mar 27, 2025 Introduced in House

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