Aderholt Statement On NASA Funding In The Omnibus Appropriations Conference Agreement

Contact: Darrell “DJ” Jordan
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ADERHOLT STATEMENT ON NASA AND THE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE AGREEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today issued the following statement on the conference approval of the FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which includes $18.7 billion for NASA, an increase over the FY 2009 budget. This omnibus bill, which was passed last night by conferees from both the House and the Senate appropriations committees, lumps together six bills -- the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, the Labor, HHS & Education Appropriations Bill, the Transportation & HUD Appropriations Bill, the State & Foreign Operations Bill, the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Bill and the Financial Services Appropriations Bill.

Rep. Aderholt serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, and a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee.

“There is much concern about the overall increase in spending of this Omnibus Appropriations Bill. I will review the agreement before the final vote later this week; I am, however, pleased with the funding for NASA.”

“This conference agreement includes two matters which I made a priority this year. It sets Exploration funding for the human spaceflight programs at $3.4664 billion, which restores the funding level to the President’s full request for Fiscal Year 2010. Also, I am pleased that the Senate funding of the Ares V heavy lift cargo vehicle was retained, which includes at least $100 million.”

“Secondly, this agreement requires additional appropriations legislation in order to terminate any existing NASA program, or initiate any new exploration program. Congress will review and evaluate any new proposals from NASA, but this year’s work shows that the Constellation programs of Ares I and Ares V and Orion are still the best plan for our nation to lead the world in space exploration.”

“Many Americans believe human spaceflight and exploration beyond earth is the very reason for NASA’s existence. I believe we should push ahead with more aggressive tests on the Ares I, which performed wonderfully in its first test flight in late October. It is the safest and best way to get cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station and beyond.”

“In addition, the discovery of ice crystals on the moon holds great promise for a possible lunar mission. I am proud of the work being done on that program and the Ares programs by Marshall Space Flight Center and the contractor community in north Alabama and I look forward to receiving NASA’s FY11 budget proposal.”