Looks interesting, and fun. Hope it can come to pass. And, it looks almost like a resolution, a non-binding dream.

Couple of ways this could have real problems.

One, they could pass it, and not fund anything.

Second, they could pass and fund it, but "take it out" in the Administrative Rules, where things get done, or not. Seriously, it makes no difference which laws are passed - the Administrative Rules are where it's at.

For instance -

"(2) Within 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the development and flight demonstration of a reusable space vehicle capable of carrying humans from low Earth orbit to and from an Earth-orbit crossing asteroid and rendezvousing with it."

Or what? Nothing to ensure this happens.

Second, let's say this gets funded.

Let's say they write the Administrative Rules which govern actually how they act so that the wording says that the funding of items in this Act is intended to meet the broader aims of the Act, and in order to insure efficiency and give the best chance to meet goals the exact disposition of the funds can be adjusted at the disgression of the Administrator.

So, they want to use the money to cover ISS cost overruns. ISS "borrows" the money to be paid back when ISS is funded adequately.

It becomes apparent the ISS will not return the bucks. They announce there is no suitable asteroid which would safely support a mission within the alloted budget. To their eternal regret. The budget is the problem. Who can control asteroids, after all. Nope. Not over there, just haven't seen a SAFE asteroid. Lotsa asteroids, but you wouldn't want us endangering lives with an unsafe one.

However, thanks to the foresight of the Administrator in keeping his/her eyes on the intent of the Act, there has been an internal, paper-shuffling, no net gain or loss move and the funds had been transferred to another goal. By this courageous budgetary act, no new funds will be needed, and space exploration can continue.

Great idea, love to see it happen, though. And, for a "baby" like this, there are a lot of pitfalls even if it passes.

Arf