S. 1898 - ORBITS Act of 2025

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Lifecycle of the Bill

HearingSenateMeeting

Feb 3, 2026 · 14:45

Business meeting to consider S.71, to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars, S.1898, to establish a demonstration program for the active remediation of orbital debris and to require the development of uniform orbital debris standard practices in order to support a safe and sustainable orbital environment, S.2585, to modernize and improve the Broadband Funding Map in order to promote the most efficient use of Federal funds for broadband deployment, S.3199, to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory committee tasked with providing detailed recommendations to address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, S.3266, to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, S.3468, to establish a national programmable cloud laboratories network to enhance research efficiency, innovation, and collaboration, S.3639, to expedite processing of satellite and space licenses, S.3700, to establish an expert review panel to make recommendations for a comprehensive agency-wide safety management system at the FAA, and the nominations of Daniel Edwards, of North Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary, and Ryan McCormack, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary for Policy, both of the Department of Transportation, Steven Haines, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Robert Harvey, of Florida, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner, and John DeLeeuw, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Committee

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

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Summary

On February 3, 2026, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an executive session (business meeting) to consider eight bills and five nominations. The bills addressed diverse policy areas: S. 71 would require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in passenger rail bathrooms; S. 1898, the ORBITS Act, would establish a demonstration program for orbital debris remediation and uniform debris standards; S. 2585 would modernize the Broadband Funding Map to improve federal broadband deployment efficiency; S. 3199 would create a multi-stakeholder advisory committee to address geolocation information challenges for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; S. 3266 would support athletic programs at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; S. 3468 would establish a national programmable cloud laboratories network for research; S. 3639 would expedite satellite and space license processing; and S. 3700 would establish an expert review panel for FAA safety management systems. The committee also considered nominations of Daniel Edwards, Ryan McCormack, Steven Haines, Robert Harvey, and John DeLeeuw to various transportation and commerce positions. Following the February 3 session, the committee advanced all eight bills on February 12, 2026, with amendments. A business meeting does not guarantee bills will advance to the full Senate, though in this case the committee voted to move them forward.

Video

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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Feb 12, 2026

HearingSenateMeeting

Feb 12, 2026 · 15:00

Business meeting to consider S.71, to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars, S.1898, to establish a demonstration program for the active remediation of orbital debris and to require the development of uniform orbital debris standard practices in order to support a safe and sustainable orbital environment, S.2585, to modernize and improve the Broadband Funding Map in order to promote the most efficient use of Federal funds for broadband deployment, S.3199, to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory committee tasked with providing detailed recommendations to address challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, S.3266, to support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, S.3468, to establish a national programmable cloud laboratories network to enhance research efficiency, innovation, and collaboration, S.3639, to expedite processing of satellite and space licenses, S.3700, to establish an expert review panel to make recommendations for a comprehensive agency-wide safety management system at the FAA, and routine lists in the Coast Guard; to be immediately followed by a hearing to examine the NTSB final report on the DCA midair collision.

Committee

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

View full hearing

Summary

On February 12, 2026, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a business meeting to consider eight bipartisan bills. The bills addressed diverse policy areas: S. 71 would require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in passenger rail car bathrooms; S. 1898, the ORBITS Act, would establish a demonstration program for active remediation of orbital debris and develop uniform orbital debris standards; S. 2585, the MAP for Broadband Funding Act, would modernize the federal broadband funding map to improve deployment efficiency; S. 3199 would establish an advisory committee to address geolocation information challenges for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; S. 3266 would support athletic programs at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; S. 3468 would create a national programmable cloud laboratories network to enhance research and innovation; S. 3639, the SAT Streamlining Act, would expedite satellite and space license processing; and S. 3700, the FAA SMS Compliance Review Act, would establish an expert review panel for FAA safety management systems. The committee also cleared Coast Guard promotions. Following the business meeting, the committee held a hearing to examine the National Transportation Safety Board's final report on a midair collision near Washington, D.C. All eight bills were advanced by the committee that day, though advancement from committee does not guarantee passage in the full Senate.