To do the poor-taste thing of following up on my own message: I'm sure glad the House did such a thing. Without government help, there would be no incentive for companies to go into space. -Declan On Wed, Oct 18, 2000 at 06:49:28PM -0400, Declan McCullagh wrote: > > > Committee on Science > F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR., CHAIRMAN > Ralph M. Hall, Texas, Ranking Democrat > www.house.gov/science/welcome.htm > > October 18, 2000 > > Press Contacts: > Jeff Lungren ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > Jeff Donald ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > (202) 225-4275 > > > HOUSE PASSES BIPARTISAN > COMMERCIAL SPACE BILL > > Bill Enhances U.S. Commercial Space Competitiveness > By Extending Launch Indemnification > > WASHINGTON, D.C. - With broad bipartisan support, the House yesterday passed > H.R. 2607, the Commercial Space Transportation Competitiveness Act, by a > voice vote. The bill now goes to the President for final approval. > > H.R. 2607 extends launch indemnification to the U.S. commercial launch > industry for four more years, through the end of 2004. The federal > government first decided to indemnify commercial launch companies against > catastrophic losses as a means of rebuilding a launch industry that was > critical for national security. In addition, the bill authorizes funds for > the Offices of Advanced Space Transportation and Space Commerce in the > Departments of Transportation and Commerce. > > The bill's sponsor, Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Dana > Rohrabacher, (R-CA) said, "Passage of H.R. 2607 signals continued > congressional support of a highly competitive launch industry in today's > global market. This legislation enables the U.S. Government to maintain a > stable business environment so that the private sector can become more > competitive. Moreover, by directing the Administration to examine more > innovative legal approaches for indemnification, we begin a new chapter in > U.S. space development in the 21st Century." > > House Science Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., (R-WI) added, > "By extending commercial launch indemnification, this bill helps build a > solid foundation for commercial launch companies. This foundation enhances > our national security by encouraging private firms to invest in improving > U.S. space launch capabilities and maintaining U.S. competitiveness with > launchers from Europe, Russia, the Ukraine and China. I hope the President > will quickly sign this important bipartisan legislation into law." > > Science Committee Ranking Minority Member Ralph M. Hall, (D-TX) said, "The > Commercial Space Competitiveness Act was the top legislative priority for > the American space launch industry. It is in our Nation's interest that we > continue to be world leaders in the launch industry. This bill provides the > framework of support and incentives the industry indicates they need to keep > their premier status. I am pleased that the Science Committee could play a > central role in moving this legislation to completion." > > Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Bart Gordon, > (D-TN), also an original co-sponsor of the bill, noted, "The key achievement > of this bill is an extension of the commercial space indemnification > provisions. Those provisions, first enacted in 1988, have provided a highly > effective risk-sharing system that has helped our launch industry compete > with the world. Since their enactment 12 years ago, these provisions > haven't cost the taxpayer one dollar in claims." > > ### > 106-164 > > > Jeff Donald > Deputy Communications Director > House Science Committee > 2320 Rayburn House Office Building > 202-225-4275 (phone) > 202-226-3875 (fax) >
