Support public-private partnerships and economic development by bridging government and commercial sector interests;
Support public-private partnerships and economic development by bridging government and commercial sector interests in the space sector.
Occurrences
I’m proud to reintroduce the SPACEPORT Act, legislation that will support critical investments in our country’s space launch infrastructure, including at New Mexico’s Spaceport America. I look forward to working with colleagues to pass this bipartisan legislation and help continue to establish New Mexico’s position as a leader in science, technology, and other emerging industries.
Evidence
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Senator Ben Ray Luján introduced the Space Research And Continuing Exploration (RACE) Act to create a National Institute for Space Research, aiming to bolster America's space exploration and research capabilities through public-private partnerships.
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Senator Luján introduced the Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act to establish a public-private partnership for quantum application development, enhancing collaboration between government and the commercial sector.
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Senator Luján announced the selection of the Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub, funded through the Department of Defense’s Microelectronics Commons program, to foster collaboration among universities, national laboratories, and private sector partners in microchip research and development.
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Senator Luján introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to accelerate quantum technology development through federal investment, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in this sector.
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GovInfo lists S. 3198, the Space Research And Continuing Exploration Act, as introduced in the 119th Congress, with Ben Ray Lujan among the cosponsors and referral to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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Lujan's Senate release says he and bipartisan colleagues introduced the Space RACE Act to create a National Institute for Space Research, support public-private partnerships, promote economic development, and connect government and commercial space-sector interests.
Assessments
Lujan materially supported the promised federal space-sector policy during his Senate term by introducing/cosponsoring the Space RACE Act, which directly targeted public-private space research partnerships, economic development, and coordination between government and commercial space interests. The evidence does not show enactment, but the promise was framed as support rather than guaranteed passage or implementation, so same-term legislative action is enough for delivery.
The strongest direct evidence is Senator Lujan's November 19, 2025 introduction of the bipartisan Space RACE Act, which explicitly sought to support public-private partnerships and economic development by bridging government and commercial interests in space research. Because the claim is framed as a commitment to support this kind of collaboration, sponsorship of legislation built around that exact objective is sufficient to count as fulfillment in his current Senate term even without proof of final enactment. The other cited quantum and microelectronics actions show a broader pattern of public-private collaboration, but they are secondary because they are not principally about the space sector.
Multiple primary sources confirm that Senator Luján introduced and supported legislation specifically targeting public-private partnerships in space and advanced technology sectors, including the space research, quantum technology, and microelectronics fields. The evidence also shows real-world public-private partnership projects were announced and funded, directly in line with his campaign promise.