TELL CONGRESS: Commercial airlines pay taxes to fund air traffic controllers that keep our skies safe. But Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin pay zero taxes for their extensive use of U.S. airspace. Sign the petition: Tax SpaceX and Blue Origin now!

Hi,

Whenever Elon Musk’s SpaceX or Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin launch a rocket, federal air traffic controllers ensure the skies are clear of commercial airplanes. That critical work to protect air safety is funded through taxes paid by airlines.

But guess who isn’t paying their fair share despite using up a ton of airspace? Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Unlike airlines, their space companies don’t pay taxes on airspace.1

The White House is now demanding that these billionaires pay their fair share. We know that Musk and Bezos have the cash—Musk has received billions of dollars in government defense contracts, and is currently funneling his wealth into a pro-Trump super PAC that’s likely breaking the law through vote-buying schemes.2 It’s time to tax these billionaires’ space travel.

Sign the petition: Urge Congress to make Musk’s SpaceX and Bezos’s Blue Origin pay their fair share of taxes for private space travel!

Far too often, Musk has believed he can get away with anything. SpaceX has caused fires, leaks, explosions, and other disasters near the company's $3 billion corporate compound in Texas. A SpaceX launch this year flouted wildlife protections, burned 7.5 million pounds of fuel, and destroyed protected wildlife habitats.3

A New York Times investigation found that Musk’s SpaceX is exploiting federal agencies to achieve its corporate, private space travel mission.4

SpaceX and Blue Origin should have to pay the same taxes as airline companies — taxes that fund air traffic controllers and the safe use of airspace. President Biden has called for private space travel companies to start paying up, and now it’s up to Congress to start taxing Bezos’s and Musk’s companies.

Sign the petition: Tax SpaceX and Blue Origin now!

Thanks for taking action,

Joey and the team at Demand Progress

Sources:

  1. New York Times, “Biden Takes Aim at SpaceX’s Tax-Free Ride in American Airspace” April 4, 2024.
  2. CBS News, “Elon Musk is offering a $1 million a day to sign his PAC petition. Is that legal?” October 22, 2024.
  3. The New York Times, “Wildlife Protections Take a Back Seat to SpaceX’s Ambitions,” July 7, 2024.
  4. The New York Times, “U.S. Agencies Fund, and Fight With, Elon Musk. A Trump Presidency Could Give Him Power Over Them,” October 20, 2024.

 

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