The DEBRIS Act of 2023 is designed to punish countries and companies that create junk in space without telling the U.S. government first. When satellites, rockets, or other spacecraft break apart or are abandoned in orbit, they create dangerous debris that can damage other spacecraft and satellites. This bill gives the President the power to punish foreign individuals and companies responsible for creating this debris by blocking their ability to visit the United States (revoking visas) and freezing any property or assets they own in America. The law also targets anyone who helps or supports the activities that create this debris in the first place. Essentially, it's a way to discourage reckless behavior in space by making it costly for those who don't clean up after themselves or notify the U.S. before doing something that might create debris. The bill applies whether the debris creation was intentional or accidental, as long as the responsible party didn't give advance warning to the U.S. government.

DEBRIS Act of 2023

Rubio, Marco

Deterring Errant Behavior Risking International Space Act of 2023 or the DEBRIS Act of 2023 This bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons (entities or individuals) that deliberately or negligently create space debris without providing prior notification to the U.S. government. The President must also impose such sanctions on foreign persons that provide certain assistance or support to the activity that resulted in the creation of the space debris.