Compromise Amendment Allows Satellite Bill to Clear Senate Committee
Concerns raised at the Feb. 3 markup hearing led to additional discussions and an agreement that moved the bill out of committee.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2026 – The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee advanced the SAT Streamlining Act, the MAP for Broadband Funding Act and six bills on other topics out of committee on Thursday.
The two communications-related bills were secured with unanimous approval, after amendments were agreed upon by both Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell D-Wash.
The amendment addressed Cantwell’s concerns around the "deemed granted” provisions. She was concerned that the prior version would have allowed for automatic FCC approval of satellite projects if the FCC took no action on an authorization request after a year and a half.
Member discussion