[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1151-S1152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. FRIST (for himself, Mr. McCain, and Mr. Burns):
  S. 342. A bill to authorize appropriations for the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 
2002, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation.


the national aeronautics and space administration authorization act for 
                        fy 2000, 2001, and 2002

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the authorization bill 
for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal years 
2000, 2001, and 2002.
  NASA's unique mission of exploration, discovery, and innovation has 
preserved America's role as both a world leader in aviation and the 
preeminent spacefaring nation. It is NASA's mission to:
  Explore, use, and enable the development of space for human 
enterprise;
  Advance scientific knowledge and understanding of the Earth, the 
Solar System, and the Universe and utilize the environment of space for 
research; and
  Research, develop, verify and transfer advanced aeronautics, space 
and related technologies.
  This bill is essentially the same as reported by the Commerce 
Committee last year. It contains provisions that had bi-partisan 
support and would have been included in a manager's amendment had the 
bill been brought up for discussion on the Senate floor.
  The bill, which authorizes $13.4 billion for NASA in FY 2000, $13.8 
billion for FY 2001, and $13.9 billion for FY 2002, provides for the 
continued development of the International Space Station, Space Shuttle 
operations and safety and performance upgrades, space science, life and 
micro gravity sciences and applications, the Earth Science program, 
aeronautics and space transportation technology, mission 
communications, academic programs, mission support and the Office of 
the Inspector General.
  The FY 2000 levels are consistent with the President's request with 
the exception of a reduction of $200 million for the International 
Space Station account. This reduction eliminates the funding requested 
for the Russian Program Assurance activities. I feel that it is only 
appropriate to withhold judgement on providing additional funding to 
assist Russia with their financial problems until NASA provides 
additional explanation on how these funds will be used. The situation 
in Russia is changing daily and we must fully understand the impact on 
the Station schedule and overall cost before committing more funds.
  The FY 2001 and FY 2002 levels represent a 3 percent increase over 
the previous year's amount with the exception of the Space Station. The 
Space Station has been authorized in accordance with NASA outyear 
projections for FY 2001 and FY 2002.
  The bill contains a price cap on the development costs of the 
International Space Station. The price cap language provides NASA with 
additional funding Space Station development and allows for additional 
Space Shuttle flights by exempting certain activities at the point when 
research, operating and crew return vehicles activities' costs comprise 
more than 95 percent of the annual funding for the Station. At this 
point, the majority of the activities are truly beyond the development 
phase of the project.
  The bill provides for liability cross-waivers for the Space Station. 
The provision authorizes, but does not require NASA to enter into 
agreements with any cooperating party participating in the Space 
Station program, whereby all involved parties agree to take the risk of 
damage to their own assets, and agrees not to sue other entities. These 
cross waivers would not apply in the case of sabotage or other 
deliberate and willful acts.
  NASA has indicated that these liability cross-waivers will be needed 
to fully commercialize the Space Station. I support the 
commercialization of the Station as a means of achieving a return on 
investment for the public through the creation of new industries and 
jobs for the Nation.
  I am concerned with the cost and schedule delays in other programs as 
well. The X-33 test vehicle and the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics 
Facility programs represents major investments of public funds and 
therefore should be managed such that program requirements are met in a 
timely manner.
  The balance between manned and unmanned flight, as well as the 
balance between fundamental science and development activities, is in 
need of review. I intend to pursue these balances further when the 
Commerce Committee holds hearings on the NASA budget and associated 
activities in the upcoming weeks.
  Therefore, I, along with my co-sponsors, urge the Members of this 
body to support this bill and allow NASA to continue its mission of 
support for all space flight, for technological progress in 
aeronautics, and for space science.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise today as a cosponsor of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) authorization bill 
for fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 2002. As Chairman of the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I am able to work closely with 
NASA and to review the agency's achievements on a continual basis. I am 
proud of NASA's accomplishments and want to applaud its sustained 
dominance throughout the world as the premier leader in basic 
aeronautics and space research.
  Yet leadership has a price. All one has to do is open the newspaper 
to learn about NASA's endless difficulties with the International Space 
Station, the agency's most comprehensive and complex endeavor to date.
  This one-of-a-kind research facility bears a lifetime price tag of 
approximately $100 billion dollars to the American taxpayers. Although 
this program is a long-term investment which will bring discoveries 
unimaginable to scientists today, it is our duty to protect the 
American people from the repeated inconsistent performance of the 
participating foreign partners, prime contractor, and program managers.
  During the 105th Congress, I offered an important amendment to this 
legislation that would impose a price cap on the development costs of 
the International Space Station. The language would ensure maximum 
program flexibility by providing NASA additional funding for Space 
Shuttle flights to service the Station, and by exempting specific 
activities when development costs are 5 percent or less of the 
Station's annual budget. I will again personally encourage my 
Congressional colleagues to enact a cost-cap measure this year to 
impose some semblance of fiscal restraint, however, it is up to NASA to 
prove that it is a responsible steward of public resources.
  The recent political and economic uncertainty in Russia has only 
exacerbated the development delay of the Russian components. Congress 
must pledge to work with NASA to bring further accountability to the 
Space Station if the United States is going to continue its leadership, 
both financially and managerially.
  NASA is not, and should not become a one mission agency. Congress 
must ensure that the Space Station does not impede progress on NASA's 
other important programs such as the Reusable Launch Vehicle, commonly 
referred to as the RLV.
  During the past year Congress has expressed its grave concerns about 
the alleged illegal transfers of U.S. missile technology to China and 
other nondemocratic nations. Yet, neither the

[[Page S1152]]

transferring of licensing control from the Commerce Department back to 
State, nor an embargo on foreign launches will solve the underlying 
issues which result in American companies choosing foreign launch 
sites. Additional work is needed to substantially change the current 
environment for the domestic commercial launch industry.
  What the community needs is cheaper access to space including less 
expensive vehicles, launching costs, and insurance. The X-33, a joint 
venture between NASA and private industry, and X-34 programs are 
examples of promising flight demonstrators which will lead the path to 
stimulating the industry.
  Mr. President, we are at a unique juncture in the history of space 
discovery. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and to 
help restore Congressional confidence in NASA and the Nation's valuable 
space program.
                                 ______