WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Representatives Max Miller (OH-07) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Marco Rubio (FL) introduced the bipartisan NASA Talent Exchange Program Act to spur innovation and foster partnership between the aerospace industry and NASA. It will assign NASA employees to temporary industry posts and welcome industry professionals into NASA for short term positions. This new legislation will establish the Public Private Talent Exchange Program (PPTE) within NASA to create partnership opportunities between government and aerospace businesses. 

“The days of a giant government program dominating the space industry are over,” said Congressman Miller. “Today, NASA and industry are driving technological developments that will carry the U.S. into the future, and this legislation is going to make it easier for them to work together more collaboratively on critical projects.”

“The road back to the moon and to Mars runs directly through Ohio – that’s why I’m proud to introduce this important legislation with Rep. Max Miller, Sen. Sherrod Brown, and Sen. Marco Rubio,” said Rep. Sykes. “Our bill will allow NASA to better fulfill its missions by authorizing a public-private talent exchange program, through which NASA and private industry professionals will have the chance to exchange technical expertise and operational best practices, and ensure that America’s space and aerospace industry remains the best and most innovative in the world.”

“The story of modern aviation was written in Ohio – and this bill will help ensure that we continue to lead the country into the next frontier,” said Sen. Brown. “By spurring collaboration between NASA and our aerospace businesses, we will ensure that Ohio workers are the ones creating the technologies of the future.” 

“From Apollo to Artemis, space exploration is fueled by NASA’s ingenuity and the dynamism of its private sector partners,” said Sen. Rubio. “The partnerships lower costs and are crucial to maintaining American leadership in space. I am proud to introduce the NASA Talent Exchange Program Act to continue cultivating vital partnerships to unlock the potential of American innovation.”

The Public Private Talent Exchange Program would be a professional development program focused on giving NASA and industry professionals an opportunity to gain exposure and experience in a number of areas. The exchanges will last between three months and two years with options to extend for an additional year.

The Program is modeled after a similar initiative that the Department of Defense has operated since 2018. That program allows the Department of Defense to forge partnerships with private sector companies and swap business practices for the betterment of both parties. 

Miller sits on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and has been working hard to bolster Ohio’s leadership in aerospace innovation, including by growing the NASA Glenn Research Center’s footprint in Northeast Ohio.

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