The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is scheduled to meet March 4 to consider amendments to a NASA authorization bill that would extend the operational life of the International Space Station and require the agency to establish a base on the moon’s surface as part of its long-term exploration strategy.

The proposed legislation would move the retirement date of the ISS from 2030 to 2032, giving U.S. aerospace companies additional time to develop a commercial replacement in low-Earth orbit. The extension has bipartisan support from committee Chairman Ted Cruz and ranking member Maria Cantwell. Lawmakers have framed the effort as part of a broader strategy to counter China’s expanding footprint in space.

Beijing is actively developing partnerships for its Tiangong space station and has announced plans for a crewed moon landing by 2030. U.S. officials have warned that allowing a lapse in American human spaceflight capabilities in low-Earth orbit could hand strategic momentum to China at a critical time.

The ISS, in orbit for more than two decades, has experienced small air leaks in recent years—issues NASA considers signs of aging infrastructure. Meanwhile, the agency has funded early-stage concepts for commercial space stations, drawing participation from companies such as Blue Origin and Voyager. However, several projects have shown limited progress toward deployment by 2030, raising concerns about a potential capability gap.

NASA last year selected SpaceX to build a vehicle capable of attaching to the ISS and guiding it into Earth’s atmosphere for controlled disposal. The agency opted against preserving the station as an orbital monument due to debris risks and maintenance costs.

In addition to extending the ISS, the Senate proposal would require NASA to construct a permanent lunar base under its Artemis program. Lawmakers argue that establishing sustained operations on the moon is essential for maintaining U.S. leadership and preparing for eventual missions to Mars.

SpaceX is developing its Starship vehicle as a lunar lander for Artemis, while Blue Origin is building its Blue Moon lander. NASA has encouraged competition between the two firms to accelerate timelines as China signals progress in its own lunar initiatives.

The committee’s action next week will shape how the United States balances aging infrastructure, private-sector transition, and strategic competition in space amid intensifying geopolitical rivalry.