HR 477 Introduced - Commercial Hypersonic Vehicle Support
Last month Rep Fong (R,CA) introduced HR 477, the Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics (MACH) Act. This bill would authorize NASA to establish the Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics Program. That program would facilitate opportunities for testing of high-speed aircraft and other technologies that advance scientific research and technology development related to hypersonic aircraft. No new funding is authorized by this legislation.
Definitions
Section 2(g) provides definitions for four key terms used in this bill. The one technical term is defined by reference:
High-speed aircraft (49 USC 44701 note).
Program
Section 2(a) provides that, while NASA is supporting research on hypersonic aircraft under 51 USC 40112(d), the agency would be authorized to establish the Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics Program “to facilitate opportunities for testing of high-speed aircraft and other technologies that advance scientific research and technology development related to hypersonic aircraft.” That program would be specifically prohibited from funding “the development of technologies that are supported by the testing”.
The bill would require NASA to formulate a strategic plan to support the program. It would also be required to consult with DOD and the FAA on “on activities related to the Program, including development, testing, and evaluation of high-speed aircraft and related technologies.” An obligatory report to Congress is also required.
The bill specifically does not authorize NASA to “develop, implement, or execute an agreement related to technologies under this section with any entity of concern, a foreign business entity, or a foreign country of concern.” The language does not specifically prohibit such actions.
Moving Forward
Fong and one of his two cosponsors {Rep Whitesides (D,CA)} are members of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to which this bill is assigned for consideration. This means that there may be sufficient influence to see the bill considered in Committee. I suspect that (especially since there is no new funding involved) there would be sufficient bipartisan support to see this bill favorably considered in Committee. I am not sure, however, that there would be enough support to move the bill to the floor of the House under the suspension of the rules process (limited debate, no floor amendments, and a super majority required for passage). That is the only way it could move to the full House.
Commentary
I would be very surprised, given the anti-Chinese sentiment in the 119th Congress, if the language in §2(f) were not changed to specifically prohibit Chinese involvement in this program. The simplest change would be:
“(f) Research security.— Nothing in this section authorizes the Administrator to The Administer may not develop, implement, or execute an agreement related to technologies under this section with any entity of concern, a foreign business entity, or a foreign country of concern.