AMERICAN SPACE LEADERSHIP

On 2026-05-15, Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-9) delivered a floor speech titled "AMERICAN SPACE LEADERSHIP" in the House.

AMERICAN SPACE LEADERSHIP

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 83 (Friday, May 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 83 (Friday, May 15, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3545-H3546] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMERICAN SPACE LEADERSHIP (Mr. SOTO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, it is America's 250th anniversary, and we are proud in central Florida to have this historic accomplishment of Artemis II's successful Moon mission. Every day, central Floridians drive out to the Cape to work on advancing America's space leadership. This is the first Moon mission in over 50 years that went the farthest of any humans ever. These astronauts were the first astronauts to witness the dark side of the Moon with their own eyes. We welcomed astronauts Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy to the Capitol this week. They had many firsts: the oldest astronaut, the first astronaut of color, the first female astronaut, and the first non-America to do a Moon mission. As the only Member of Congress to witness both Artemis launches firsthand, I couldn't be more proud of them. Congress needs to be committed to us going back to the Moon to land and to go to Mars and beyond. So we need to dig deep to advance American space leadership, and promote innovation for the sake of all humankind. [[Page H3546]] ____________________