Aderholt Statement On House NASA Authorization Bill

Contact: Darrell "DJ" Jordan
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ADERHOLT STATEMENT ON TODAY’S HOUSE NASA AUTHORIZATION BILL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) released the following statement after the House Committee on Science and Technology Committee approved its NASA Authorization Bill (H.R. 5781) today.

The bill authorizes $13.2 billion over three years for a restructured Exploration program based on Constellation. The bill also provides $450 million over three years for a commercial crew initiative, including a loan and loan guarantee program, which is far less than the $6 billion requested by the Administration, over 5 years, and less than the $1.3 billion requested by the Senate, over 5 years. The Senate Commerce Committee approved its version of the NASA Authorization Act on July 15th.

Congressman Aderholt serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, which provides funding for NASA.

“I very much support the House NASA Authorization bill because it strongly rejects the Administration’s proposal to kill Constellation by providing a well thought-out strategy for maintaining a strong and well-rounded American space program.”

“This House bill follows a key recommendation of the Augustine panel - that the so-called commercial approach not be the only method for reaching the International Space Station. By insisting on also having a government, traditional option by 2015, this bill utilizes the billions of dollars already spent on Constellation programs, as well as the safety criteria developed in response to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. By contrast, the President's plan would cost taxpayers well over $3.5 billion in shutdown costs.”

“In addition, this bill also saves taxpayers money, yet again, by using the overlapping rocket technologies of the Constellation plan to develop a heavy lift vehicle. There are many benefits of another mission to the Moon, especially with regard to health issues of long-term space travel.”

“The development of the Senate and House NASA Authorization bills demonstrates one of the strengths of our three-branches-of-government structure. The Executive Branch can propose ideas but Congress must approve it before it becomes law. Since February, there has been bipartisan agreement in Congress that the President’s proposal to kill Constellation is not in the best interest of America’s space program. This House bill sets reasonable requirements for the development of commercial space, safe access to the International Space Station, and a workable approach to exploration beyond the International Space Station.”

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