Cruz: The Launch of Artemis II

Cruz introduces the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, NASA’s Artemis II launch sent a message to the world that the United States will lead this era of space exploration. As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I’ve worked to advance the success of the Artemis II program by advancing the NASA reauthorization bill last month, empowering NASA to help return American astronauts to the Moon and carry out the President’s National Space Policy. I am proud to have led the effort last year to secure $10 billion in long-term NASA funding through the Working Families Tax Cut Act to support the country’s exploration goals. This critical work will help secure American space superiority for future generations. 


Many thanks to astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hanson for their courage and spirit of discovery, which will inspire generations and reaffirm our nation's commitment to pushing the boundary of what is possible. We pray that your Orion capsule, Integrity, gets you home safe. Go Artemis!

The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) expends countless resources to erode the status of our Taiwanese allies and isolate them globally, which is why I introduced the Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026. This legislation expands Taiwan’s ability to develop drone system components that do not rely on technology or supply chains potentially compromised by the CCP. Additionally, it expands opportunities for collaboration on Blue UAS, including with efforts such as the Army’s SkyFoundry program and the Advanced Automation Manufacturing project at Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas.

I am proud to lead this legislation amid increasing CCP pressure on Taiwan and expanded control over the global UAS supply chain, which deepens U.S.–Taiwan cooperation on unmanned aerial systems development.