NASA Reauthorization Passes House including Rep. Vince Fong’s Hypersonic Program

Washington, D.C. – The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024, H.R. 8958, passed the House and included Rep. Vince Fong’s (CA-20) Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics (MACH) legislation. Rep. Fong’s legislation, which he inserted during a committee markup in July, authorizes the creation of the MACH Program which will improve scientific research by supporting high-speed flights. The MACH Program is modeled after NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program and will continue to nurture developments locally in aerospace technology at NASA Armstrong and in East Kern County.

Rep. Fong voted for the NASA Reauthorization Act, which passed overwhelmingly last night by a bipartisan vote of 366-21.

“I am honored that my proposal was included in the NASA Reauthorization Act which passed the House this week,” said Rep. Fong. “This will ensure that the aerospace industry will continue testing and developing new technology, and advance America as a leader in hypersonics. Our region has been a trailblazer for this innovative technology, and I am excited for what the future holds with the passage of this important legislation.”

Click here to see Rep. Fong’s remarks on the MACH Program given to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in July.