The record

LegislationLegislation· Sep 2024
S 1648 Signed into law

Sponsored by Eric Schmitt (R)

Launch Communications Act

Requires the FCC to open more radio frequencies for commercial rocket launches and reentries.

Tradeoff

Gives commercial rocket launches access to federal-band radio frequencies, limited to launch and reentry uses. Requires the FCC to set new rules within 90 and 180 days.

What's in it

See official bill text
S. 1648, Launch Communications Actwww.cbo.gov/publication/59881 · Jan 2024

The Senate passed this by on October 31, 2023. The House passed it by on September 17, 2024. It became law, with the latest action on September 26, 2024.

  1. Senate

    Introduced

    (May 17, 2023)

  2. Senate

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation(May 17, 2023)

  3. Senate

    The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to send it to the floor

    Reported(Jul 27, 2023)

  4. Senate

    Passage of the bill

    Passed by (Oct 31, 2023)

    No individual votes were recorded.

  5. House

    Received from the Senate

    Received(Nov 6, 2023)

  6. House

    Passage of the bill

    Passed by (Sep 17, 2024)

    No individual votes were recorded.

  7. House

    Sent to the President

    (Sep 24, 2024)

  8. White House · Signature

    Signed

    Joe Biden (D)

  9. Enacted

    Became law(Sep 26, 2024)