The NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 has passed the Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz. This change from the 2010 legislation, which imposed upon NASA the Space Launch System, now allows NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to explore the Artemis return to the moon. The 2026 version of the NASA authorization bill differs significantly from its predecessor, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010. The bill allows Isaacman's plan to revamp the Artemis program to include an Earth orbital mission in 2027 followed by as many as two moon landings in 2028. Despite efforts by former Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), former NASA administrator, who was instrumental in securing the Artemis project, Bridenstine failed to replace the Space launch System with a cheaper, commercial launch vehicle. The act passed out of Senate Commerce and is expected to be reconciled with the House version before it becomes law.