Sens. Cruz, Cantwell Lead Artemis II Resolution Lauding Historic Mission Success

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) filed a joint resolution commemorating the success of the Artemis II mission. Supported by Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, the 10-day mission set a record for the furthest distance traveled by humans into deep space.

Sen. Cruz said, "Artemis II reverberated around the world, sending a clear message: the United States will lead this new era of space exploration. The crew and NASA's exceptional team, including those at Johnson Space Center, demonstrated the skill and determination needed to return to the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars. I join all Americans in celebrating the work of these astronauts and our nation's historic achievement."

Sen. Cantwell said, "Congratulations to NASA and the entire Artemis team on an extraordinary mission. The four astronauts who returned safely to Earth on April 10th paved the way not only for a return to the Moon, but for a sustained human presence there. When I spoke with the pilot of the Orion spacecraft, Victor Glover, during the mission, I was struck by his emphasis on the importance of human exploration itself - that there is something uniquely powerful about people going, seeing, learning, and representing all of us. With the support of 41 companies in Washington state, the Artemis II mission met its key objectives and was an absolute success. But beyond the mission's technical achievements, the astronauts also imparted a powerful message about unity and the importance of caring for our shared home planet."

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND
Johnson Space Center, the heart of American spaceflight, served as the hub for Artemis II's mission planning, astronaut training, and operations. Across Texas, 172 suppliers contributed to the Artemis II mission by supporting the Space Launch System, Orion spacecraft, and Exploration Ground Systems.

Last month, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously advanced the NASA Authorization Act of 2026, landmark legislation to secure American dominance in the new space race. Separately, Senator Cruz led the successful effort in Congress to secure $10 billion in long-term NASA funding in last year's Working Families Tax Cut Act.