June 4, 2025
Mr. Bennet (for himself and Mr. Cramer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To require the Secretary of Defense to initiate discussions, through the Quad, with Australia, India, and Japan to identify mutual areas of interest with respect to the formulation of best practices in space, cooperation on space situational awareness, and space industrial policy, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Quad Space Act
.
Sec. 2. Space cooperation among Quad countries
(a) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
as a Pacific power, the United States should strengthen cooperation with the Government of Australia, the Government of India, and the Government of Japan to address regional challenges and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region;
(2)
the United States should expand cooperation, through the Quad, with the Government of Australia, the Government of India, and the Government of Japan to address shared security challenges, particularly in space; and
(3)
the revival of the Quad by President Donald J. Trump and the elevation of the Quad to the leaders’ level by President Joseph R. Biden were critical steps in advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
(b) Determination of areas of mutual interest in space
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to initiate discussions, through the Quad, with the Government of Australia, the Government of India, and the Government of Japan to identify areas of mutual interest with respect to—
(A)
the formulation of best practices in space;
(B)
cooperation on space situational awareness; and
(C)
space industrial policy.
(2) Report
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees of Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the discussions under paragraph (1), including—
(A)
a detailed description of potential areas of mutual interest identified through such discussions; and
(B)
an identification of potential steps the Secretary intends to take to formalize cooperation, though the Quad, among the United States, Australia, India, and Japan.
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Quad
The term Quad means the partnership among the Quad countries.
(2) Quad countries
The term Quad countries means the following:
(A)
The United States.
(B)
Australia.
(C)
India.
(D)
Japan.