# Hoyer Requests Starlink Access Investigation

On October 25, 2026, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer asked the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to investigate restrictions on Ukrainian forces’ access to SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield systems. He requested testimony from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about who made the access decision and the Defense Department–SpaceX relationship in the Ukraine-Russia theater. The signal reports an oversight request, not a new solicitation or contract award.

- Defense procurement teams and contractors supporting operational communications can evaluate how access decisions and reliance on commercial satellite services affect continuity for mission users.
- The requested inquiry places the DoD–SpaceX relationship and decision authority under congressional scrutiny, which may be relevant to providers of defense communications services and their government customers.
- No contract value, procurement timeline, or new acquisition requirement is identified; the signal provides no specific bidding opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- House Committee on Armed Services
- Senate Committee on Armed Services
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate

### Vendors
- SpaceX ()

### Key Quotes
> That this technology is indispensable for Ukraine’s defense and crucial for continuing its battlefield momentum is unquestionable.
> — Steny H. Hoyer, Congressman

### Sources
- [Hoyer Sends Letter to Armed Services Committees Requesting an Investigation on Starlink and Starshield Restrictions in Ukraine | Congressman Steny Hoyer](https://hoyer.house.gov/media/press-releases/hoyer-sends-letter-armed-services-committees-requesting-investigation-starlink) - Hoyer