Lawmakers filed the bill text as an amendment to the fiscal 2027 NDAA and will “continue to pursue every avenue to get it passed into law.”
A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to bolster the Space Force’s ability to achieve space superiority by expanding its training, wargaming and simulation efforts.
The Space Superiority Readiness Act of 2026, introduced by Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.), would require the Defense Department to develop new training programs for space operators that are focused on tactics, techniques, and procedures necessary for space control operations.
It also seeks to expand the capacity of the Space Force to “conduct wargaming, modeling, and simulation of peer conflict scenarios in the space domain.”
Cortez Masto’s office told Federal News Network the measure was filed as an amendment to the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act and that the senator will “continue to pursue every avenue to get it passed into law, and introducing the legislation as a standalone bill is part of that process.”
The Senate Armed Services Committee has passed its version of the 2027 defense policy bill, but Senate Democrats blocked the must-pass bill from advancing to the floor in June over the bill’s massive price tag, the war with Iran and a provision that would expand military partnership between the United States and Israel. The House recently passed its version of the measure.
As the newest branch of the military continues to evolve — Space Force leaders have been pushing for significant growth amid increasing threats in the space domain and new mission demand — some analysts and lawmakers have raised concerns that China is rapidly challenging the United States’ long-standing dominance in space. The service is not just preparing for future conflict but also racing to keep pace with China’s rapid advances in space.
The lawmakers said the legislation will “help bring greater focus to the importance of space readiness” and ensure that Congress “continues to prioritize the capabilities needed to deter and respond to future threats. “
“It is well documented that China is determined to dominate the space domain and is working tirelessly to advance its space programs by investing in key sectors of the commercial space economy. The Space Superiority Readiness Act of 2026 underscores how critical space is as a warfighting domain,” Britt said in a statement.
The lawmakers introduced the measure after visiting the Arctic in May, where they met with U.S. military leaders at Pituffik Space Base and received briefings on military space operations, missile warning and the growing strategic competition with Russia and China. The measure appears to stem from discussions the senators had during that trip.
The bill’s provisions, however, align with initiatives the Space Force is already pursuing.
For instance, the service is currently building out its advanced live and simulated test and training range to better prepare Guardians for operations in an increasingly contested space environment.
The measure would also require the Defense Department to submit an unclassified report to Congress within 180 days of enactment assessing Chinese commercial space capabilities and their potential military applications. While DoD already releases reports on China’s military space capabilities, the new requirement would provide industry with greater insight into how Beijing’s expanding commercial space sector could support military operations.
If you would like to contact this reporter about recent changes in the federal government, please email anastasia.obis@federalnewsnetwork.com or reach out on Signal at (301) 830-2747.
Copyright
© 2026 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
