DEBRIS Act of 2023

The DEBRIS Act of 2023 imposes sanctions on foreign entities (including governments or organizations outside the U.S.) that create space debris without prior U.S. notification. It requires the President to investigate and report within 30 days if credible evidence shows a foreign entity caused debris through deliberate action (like orbital weapons testing) or negligence (like failing to track satellites or deorbit objects). If confirmed, the President must impose sanctions blocking U.S. transactions with the entity and barring its members from entering the U.S. Exceptions apply for civil space cooperation or UN-related obligations. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress detailing sanctioned entities and reasons for sanctions.