U.S. Congress

A bipartisan pair of Senators introduced legislation last week that lawmakers said would prevent foreign adversaries from accessing and compromising American satellite systems.

Senators Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., co-led the bill, the “Secure Space Act of 2025,” introduced on June 5. 

If passed, the legislation would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from “granting satellite licenses or U.S. market access for foreign-licensed satellite systems to any entity or its affiliates that produce or provide communications equipment or services deemed a national security risk.” 

This bill amends the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to include both Geostationary (GEO) and Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite systems and gateway stations. Companion legislation passed the U.S. House on April 28. 

“Americans rely on crucial communications services provided by our satellite systems now more than ever. That’s why we must prevent foreign adversaries like Communist China and Russia from undermining our ability to utilize these services safely and reliably. My bill strengthens our communications infrastructure against these vulnerabilities to make Americans’ network access more secure,” Fischer said in a release. 

Luján commented that the bill would help “defend our communications networks from foreign entities that seek to hijack our future.”