[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 20, FURTHER CONTINUING 
                    APPROPRIATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 2007

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                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we consider this important 
legislation to highlight several matters of critical importance within 
the funding allocations for the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, NASA.
  Over past years several of my colleagues and I have worked hard to 
ensure that NASA fulfills its commitment to its science mission, as 
well as its commitment to the excellent men and women who daily carry 
out NASA's cutting-edge missions. In particular, I want to acknowledge 
and pay tribute to my constituents at NASA Ames Research Center, one of 
the world's premier research facilities located in my district in 
California's Silicon Valley.
  As we pass this continuing resolution, which we are forced to do by 
the inaction of the previous majority leadership, it is important that 
NASA recognize and adhere to the clear intent expressed by both the 
House and Senate under H.R. 5672, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2007, and the 
accompanying committee reports--House Report 109-520 and Senate Report 
109-280. I would like to highlight some important points from these 
bills.
  Within the House-passed version of H.R. 5672, Congress included the 
following points:
  Recognizing the disproportionate reduction proposed by NASA to its 
research and analysis budget, a recommended $50 million increase was 
included.
  Following NASA's misguided attempt to discontinue funding the 
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA project, the 
House concluded that should NASA's internal review of the program 
result in a recommended continuation of the program, NASA should 
accordingly reallocate funds to SOFIA.
  Building on the priorities expressed by the House, the Senate 
Appropriations Committee subsequently included the following high-
priority points:
  In addressing NASA's management of the SOFIA project, Senate 
Appropriators stated:
  ``The budget request eliminates funding for the SOFIA mission in 
fiscal year 2007. Since the budget was released, NASA has completed a 
review of its decision and has concluded that there are no scientific 
or technical reasons for canceling the mission . . . This calls into 
question the credibility of the science directorate in making budget 
decisions and determining scientific priorities.
  ``The Committee expects NASA to come up with a plan to fund the SOFIA 
mission in 2007 from within available funds through a reprogramming 
request subject to section 505 of this act. In determining the funding 
strategy for this program, the Committee directs NASA to follow the 
recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences Decadal survey in 
Astronomy and Astrophysics when setting mission and budget priorities. 
Missions that are ranked higher in the surveys should be given priority 
over missions that are ranked lower in priority with launch dates.''
  To ensure the protection of NASA's critical workforce, the current 
moratorium on involuntary reductions in force, RIF, was extended from 
its current expiration date of March 2007 until the end of fiscal year 
2008.
  These provisions are unequivocal and must be honored by NASA as such. 
In particular, given Congress's stated and clear questioning of NASA's 
guidance of the SOFIA project to date, NASA should refrain from making 
significant changes to SOFIA without Congress first having the 
opportunity to review their proposals.
  Additionally, it is critical that the existing prohibition on the 
transfer of funds between major accounts is observed consistent with 
the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. The reprogramming of funds across 
accounts has in the past been used to change funding allocations within 
NASA in ways that counter the legislative intent of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, NASA and its institutional capabilities are a critical 
component of our Nation's high-technology research and development 
infrastructure and must be protected for the sake of our future 
innovative capability. Ensuring these provisions passed by the Congress 
are honored as part of this fiscal year 2007 funding process will 
ensure NASA's continued excellence.

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