House Approves Bush's Vision Overwhelmingly

[lunatio_gordin]

WASHINGTON(AP) The House Friday overwhelmingly endorsed President Bush's vision to send man back to the moon and eventually on to Mars as it passed a bill to set NASA policy for the next two years.<br /><br />The bill passed 383-15 after a collegial debate in which lawmakers stressed their commitment to not just Bush's ambitious space exploration plans but also to traditional NASA programs such as science and aeronautics.<br /><br />There is some tension between Congress and the White House over the balance between Bush's vision for space exploration and other NASA initiatives. Originally, the measure would have shifted $1.3 billion in funds from exploration to other NASA programs. But after administration objections lawmakers added the money back to the budget for exploration during floor debate. That was done by adding to the bill's bottom line _ now at $34.7 billion _ not at the expense of science and aeronautics.<br /><br />Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee said Bush's ambitious moon and Mars missions "should not be done by cannibalizing other NASA missions."<br /><br />The bill is the first NASA policy measure _ its budget is funded by a separate bill _ to pass the House in five years. It advanced as the space agency tries to rebound from the Columbia disaster in February 2003 with the launch of the space shuttle Discovery next Tuesday.<br /><br />The measure permits but does not explicitly endorse retiring the space shuttle fleet by 2010, as the administration would like to do. It directs the agency to launch a new crew exploration vehicle _ which would lack the full capabilities of the shuttle but could travel to the International Space Station _ as close to 2010 as feasible.<br /><br />NASA's plans call for a new vehicle to be ready by 2014, which unnerves lawmakers who do not want the United States to have to rely on other countries to catch a lift to the space station.<br /><br />A companion Senate measure approved by the Commerce, Science and Transportation pane

 

[lunatio_gordin]

Looks good, but i'm not sure how much it means. And if anyone lives in Massachusetts, please vote that last guy out of office <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" />

 

[ehs40]

we are on our way

 

[spacester]

I agree with Representative Frank that we should have a public debate about our priorities in regards to space development. What he doesn't realize is that he would lose the debate quite badly.<br /><br />In fact the early results of the debate are in and he's waaaay behind in the voting.<br /><br />With a landslide like that, reps often see an opportunity to "make a statement", it's called showboating ("look at me, the lone voice of reason") and grandstanding ("I'm for apple pie and motherhood"), just ignore the silly geese. lol <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>