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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2021, which would extend NASA’s enhanced use lease (EUL) authority for two years to December 31, 2023. NASA’s current EUL authority is set to expire at the end of this year. NASA uses this EUL authority to lease underutilized areas on its properties to other federal agencies, academic institutions, state and local governments, and private partners in space exploration, raising revenue for the agency. 

“America’s future relies on the continued growth and success of our space sector,” Rubio said. “Ensuring that NASA can continue to generate revenue through leasing its underutilized properties is common sense. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, which would reduce the burden on taxpayers and support America’s space industry.”  

“The Stennis Space Center earned its ‘Federal City’ title because of its ability to use EUL to attract other federal and state agencies, academic and private-sector organizations, tech-based companies and others,” Hyde-Smith said.  “Extending this program would allow Stennis and other NASA centers to better plan for use of properties to support its mission and our economy.”

“As the home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida has made countless and invaluable contributions to America’s superiority in space,” Scott said. “The NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2021 will strengthen our global competitiveness in the space industry, help maintain facilities and improve mission effectiveness. I urge my colleagues to support this good bill.”