[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 76 (Thursday, April 30, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H3326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ARTEMIS II

  (Mr. WHITESIDES asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WHITESIDES. Mr. Speaker, before I came to Congress, I led NASA as 
chief of staff under President Obama. I believed then, as I believe 
now, that NASA represents the best of us and the best of America. We 
were reminded of its ability to inspire just weeks ago with the triumph 
of Artemis II.
  The sheer historic weight of sending humans around the Moon for the 
first time stopped our country in its tracks as we watched four brave 
astronauts take flight. The crew made history on multiple fronts as the 
most diverse to travel beyond low Earth orbit and by going further into 
space than anyone had ever been before.
  Yet, just days after their launch, the President proposed a massive 
cut to NASA's budget, including slashing NASA's science division, which 
helps us detect wildfires in our district, fight climate change, and 
advance innovation.
  They tried this last year, and we successfully fought back, making 
sure that NASA funding levels remained steady. We can, and we will do 
it again.
  Artemis II didn't happen overnight. It required decades of 
investment, hard work, and the belief that America can still reach for 
the stars.
  We must reaffirm our commitment to this essential work.

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