Rep. Vince Fong Introduces OUTPACE in Space Act to Accelerate Innovation and Secure U.S. Leadership in the Space Race Against China

BAKERSFIELD, CA - This week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) introduced the OUTPACE in Space Act to ensure the United States leads the next era of space exploration and innovation.

Specifically, the OUTPACE in Space Act focuses on cutting outdated regulatory barriers, improving airspace access for commercial space launches, and preventing foreign adversaries like China from exploiting U.S. research and development. The legislation aims to accelerate launch timelines, increase testing capacity, and ensure American companies can compete-and win-the global space race.

Recent analysis from the Commercial Space Federation underscores the urgency of action, warning that China's rapidly expanding space enterprise is fundamentally reshaping the global competitive landscape and posing a direct threat to the U.S. Driven by massive state-backed investment and a coordinated strategy, China is positioning itself to dominate critical space infrastructure and outcompete American industry.

The risks this poses are not theoretical. Space underpins U.S. national security, from missile warning systems to secure communications, to GPS and weather data, to our satellites. If China gains dominance in space, it will weaken U.S. military readiness, displace American jobs and innovation, and allow an authoritarian regime to shape the rules governing the future of space.

"America is in a new space race, and we cannot afford to lose to China because of our own bureaucratic red tape," said Congressman Fong. "Across our nation and especially in California, we have the best, most capable workers who possess the ingenuity and skills to lead the way. But outdated regulations and bureaucratic delays are holding back American innovation while China rapidly expands its capabilities. The OUTPACE in Space Act cuts unnecessary barriers, bolsters our national security, and ensures the United States remains the global leader in space. This legislation gives us the tools necessary to innovate and win the space race against China."

"The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) applauds the introduction of the OUTPACE in Space Act by Congressman Fong (R-CA)," said Commercial Space Federation President Dave Cavossa. "Licensing for space launch and reentry must keep pace with the cadence of today's commercial space industry - especially as the U.S. pushes to build an American lunar base ahead of China. This legislation will give FAA tools to ensure that red tape doesn't hold back U.S. innovation and economic growth."

"The Mojave Air and Spaceport is a strong advocate for the growth of access to space," said Dr. David G. Smith, CEO, Mojave Air and Space Port. "A barrier to that growth are the cumbersome and outdated policies and governance demonstrated in the FAA 450 process. The costs for preparing a submission are prohibitive, and the time for review is excessive, often over 2 years. The OUTPACE in Space Act helps advance a more streamlined process that would facilitate entry into the market by new and innovative firms which would support commerce, drive down costs, and ultimately improve space access. This would in turn improve the strategic posture of the United States as the leader in space launch. Additionally, the military necessity of holding the space 'high ground' is essential to national defense. Mojave Air and Spaceport stands in favor of streamlining these regulations and improving the posture of the United States in space."

"Proper policy at the exact right time," said Stu Witt, Ridgecrest resident and owner of S.O. Witt and Associates

Specifically, the OUTPACE in Space Act:

• Cuts red tape on launch and reentry by modernizing outdated FAA regulations and removing unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that slow innovation.
• Expands access to U.S. airspace to better support more frequent commercial space launches and hypersonic testing while maintaining aviation safety.
• Enables safe overland reentry operations to increase testing capacity and operational flexibility for American companies.
• Increases launch cadence by improving coordination across federal agencies and shifting toward performance-based regulatory frameworks.
• Strengthens the FAA workforce by providing expedited hiring authority to keep pace with the rapidly growing commercial space sector.
• Requires a clear national strategy from the FAA and Department of Transportation to integrate commercial space operations into the national airspace system.
• Protects U.S. innovation and national security by prohibiting federal agencies from partnering on space-related R&D with adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.