Commercial Space Transportation Cost Reduction Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 25, 1999

Commercial Space Transportation Cost Reduction Act - Sets forth the purposes of this Act, including to: (1) ensure the availability of otherwise unavailable private sector "bridge" financing for U.S. private sector development of commercial space transportation vehicles with launch costs significantly below current levels; (2) avoid undue reliance on foreign space transportation services; (3) reduce substantially U.S. Government space transportation expenditures; (4) encourage the growth of space-related commerce in the United States and internationally; and (5) increase the number of high-value jobs in U.S. space-related industries. Title I: Increasing the Availability of Private Sector Financing for the U.S. Commercial Space Transportation Vehicle Industry Through a Loan Guarantee Program - Establishes the U.S. Commercial Space Transportation Vehicle Industry Loan Guarantee program to provide loan guarantees to support the private development of multiple qualified U.S. commercial space transportation vehicle providers with launch costs significantly below current levels. Sets forth provisions regarding the administration and scope of the program. (Sec. 102) Sets out functions of the Secretary of Transportation, including: (1) consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, congressional and space industry representatives, and members of the risk management industry concerning assessments of international competition, potential markets for space transportation vehicles, and availability of private investment capital, and recommendations of commercial entities, partnerships, joint ventures, or consortia regarding effective implementation of the loan guarantee program; and (2) management of the program consistent with the purposes of this Act. (Sec. 103) Authorizes appropriations to be deposited in a Fund to be used to reduce governmental costs related to the loan guarantee program. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee 100 percent of the payment of the interest on, and the unpaid balance of the principal of, any loan guaranteed under this Act. Directs the Secretary to make certain risk determinations based on specified risk factors with respect to guaranteed loans made under this Act. (Sec. 105) Sets forth provisions regarding eligibility and default requirements for loans guaranteed under this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA] · D–LA

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

10 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 25, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Feb 25, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2011-2012)
Feb 25, 1999
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Feb 25, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze S.469 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.469, 106th Congress: Commercial Space Transportation Cost Reduction Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/469

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s469/BILLS-106s469is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.469 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Examine S.469 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.469, 106th Congress: Commercial Space Transportation Cost Reduction Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/469

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s469/BILLS-106s469is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.469 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Examine S.469 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.469, 106th Congress: Commercial Space Transportation Cost Reduction Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/469

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s469/BILLS-106s469is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.469 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.469, 106th Congress: Commercial Space Transportation Cost Reduction Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/469

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-02-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s469/BILLS-106s469is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:18Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.469 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.