The Space Act of 2015 in Congress (not yet signed by the President) gives Americans the right to extract and sell non-living resources from celestial bodies, like water and minerals found on asteroids or our moon.
But, it contains no safeguards for the average person or alien life. This Act explicitly says it wants to avoid regulations in space. In effect, that creates a first-come-first-enriched land rush with no agency truly responsible for EVERYONE'S interests.
No long-term protection and management of space resources, so they'll be available for the average person when space flight becomes truly affordable. And crucially, no agency making sure extraction doesn't kill potential alien life.
Mr Pres., this is a wrong first step. Protect life everywhere with a veto and a new bill.