[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18026-18034]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 18026]]

    CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1654, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 
                ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2000

  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 574 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 574

       Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be 
     in order to consider the conference report to accompany the 
     bill (H.R. 1654) to authorize appropriations for the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal years 2000, 
     2001, and 2002, and for other purposes. All points of order 
     against the conference report and against its consideration 
     are waived. The conference report shall be considered as 
     read.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Reynolds) 
is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield 
the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) 
pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, 
during consideration of this resolution, all time is yielded for the 
purpose of debate only.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 574 is a standard rule providing for 
consideration of the conference report to accompany the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, known as NASA.
  The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and 
against its consideration. Additionally, the rule provides that the 
conference report shall be considered as read.
  Mr. Speaker, this House could not have picked a more appropriate time 
for consideration of this conference report.
  Earlier this week, the crew of mission STS-106 entered the 
International Space Station to prepare for the arrival of its first 
permanent crew.
  Those crew members became the first humans to enter the service 
module which will serve as a living quarters and command and control 
center for the space station complex, an historic, multinational effort 
that is expected to create more than 75,000 jobs here at home.
  With their scheduled return to Earth on Wednesday, I know that this 
House and this Nation wishes Commander Terry Wilcutt and the crew of 
Atlantis Godspeed.
  Since the dawn of man, the human race has been ingrained with a 
fascination and a need to slip beyond its boundaries and explore the 
unknown. From across the continents to the depths of the oceans and to 
the far reaches of space, that pioneer spirit continues to this day. 
And its contributions and discoveries have had a significant impact on 
our society and our way of life.
  When Neil Armstrong took that giant leap for mankind on July 20, 
1969, perhaps he did not realize that the same technology that 
protected him from the harsh elements and atmosphere of the Moon would 
one day allow a 6-year-old boy from Virginia Beach to walk in the 
sunlight of the Earth.
  Just a couple years ago, Mikie Walker became the first American child 
to receive a modified space suit that protects him from the sun's 
ultraviolet rays and other light sources.
  Suffering from a genetic disorder that causes extreme and potentially 
dangerous sunlight sensitivity, NASA spacesuit technology allowed him 
to play outdoors for the first time in his young life.
  More than 1,300 documented NASA technologies have benefited U.S. 
industry, improved our quality of life, and created jobs for Americans.
  The Space Shuttle program alone has generated more than 100 
technology spin-offs, including a tiny 2-inch by 1-inch, 4-ounce 
artificial heart pump whose technology was first used to drive fuel 
through the Space Shuttle.
  Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation will allow NASA to continue 
to ensure this Nation's leadership role in space exploration and 
applied science.
  The underlying legislation authorizes funding for the Space Shuttle, 
International Space Station, scientific research, Payload/ELV support 
and investments in support at the level of the administration's 
request.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. space program's new technologies, breakthroughs 
in medical research and other scientific discoveries have quite 
literally changed the lives of people across the globe.
  Recognizing NASA's development of noninvasive diagnostic capabilities 
in the life sciences, the underlying legislation includes the House 
language setting aside $2 million for early detection systems for 
breast and ovarian cancer.

                              {time}  1300

  The legislation reflects Congress' continued endorsement of NASA's 
faster, better, cheaper concept and belief that a greater number of 
small missions will do more to advance certain scientific goals than 
large missions launched just once every decade.
  Additionally, NASA has made strides to reduce institutional costs 
including management restructuring, facility consolidation and 
procurement reform. Under this legislation, they will be encouraged to 
continue to pursue these actions. With Congress' commitment to move our 
space program forward, young Americans will continue to be attracted to 
fields and job markets like science and engineering, areas that are key 
to making American industry more competitive across the globe.
  I would like to commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) for their hard 
work on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule 
and the underlying bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule, which provides for the 
consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 1654, the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 2000. It is 
especially fitting that we should consider this conference report today 
since our shuttle astronauts have been this week working in space to 
outfit and activate the International Space Station in preparation for 
the first full-time crew's arrival in early November. NASA has 
scheduled a long list of flights to the space station to install 
modules which will aid in the long-term mission of research that has 
been designed specifically for this weightlessness scientific 
laboratory.
  To fulfill these important missions of the space agency, this 
conference agreement authorizes a total of $14.2 billion for NASA in 
fiscal year 2001 and $14.6 billion in fiscal year 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the usual rule providing for the consideration 
of conference reports, and I urge its adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Reynolds) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this conference report and in 
support of the rule. I want to commend the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Rohrabacher), chairman and also the ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. I also commend the gentleman 
from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the ranking member, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), for navigating this important 
authorization through all the necessary hurdles and coming to the floor 
today with a good bill.
  I am pleased that an amendment assisting our farmers and our ranchers 
I offered during the original consideration of this legislation remains 
in this final package. The amendment directs the Administrator of NASA 
to discover and catalog the kind of remote sensing information, 
commercial and otherwise, that might help farmers and ranchers 
determine potential crop shortages and surpluses and ultimately make 
decisions about how they might best use their land.
  Our ability to anticipate crop production around the world by using 
remote sensing technologies has advanced tremendously over the last 30 
years. We

[[Page 18027]]

are now able to estimate yields of some of the major crops, within plus 
or minus 10 percent 60 days before harvest. That means often within 30 
days after planting, in southern climates we can predict expected over- 
and under-production before planting starts in some northern areas. By 
keeping track of what is happening on the ground, with planting date, 
mosture, etc. we can predict what is happening to that crop. Other 
farmers can adjust their plantings. We can help stop shortages and 
excess and maximize profit. We can make sure that there is not hunger 
because of the lack of knowledge on the part of farmers to plant the 
kind of acreage necessary to accommodate shortages in other parts of 
the world.
  Once again, I am pleased that this provision has been retained. I am 
pleased to stand in support of this rule and this legislation.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Sweeney).
  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Reynolds) for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the conference 
report, the NASA Reauthorization Act. I believe it is a good bill and 
will continue to support NASA in its science exploration endeavors 
while maintaining the balance and cost effectiveness within its 
priorities. I want to specifically thank the chairman of the committee 
and the ranking member for their continued support of an amendment that 
I have had included in the legislation.
  There have been two major occurrences within the past 10 years that 
have proven to be a striking blow to national security interests of our 
Nation. First, the People's Republic of China, the PRC, used 
information it obtained as a result of our cooperation on satellite 
technology to upgrade its ballistic missile system and thereby 
improving its range and accuracy of its booster systems. It also used 
information obtained as a result of deliberate and successful espionage 
efforts at our nuclear laboratories at the Department of Energy in 
order to improve their nuclear warhead arsenal.
  While I recognize the value of international cooperation on our space 
program, it is vital that such cooperation not result in the transfer 
of inappropriate technology or otherwise increase the threat to U.S. 
national security and international peace. I believe my amendment 
accomplishes this by requiring the Inspector General of NASA to assess, 
on an annual basis, in consultation with the intelligence community, 
NASA's compliance with export control laws and the exchange of 
technology and information that could be used to enhance the military 
capacities of foreign entities.
  This amendment reestablishes that it is the policy of the United 
States to make certain our good faith efforts to share our 
technological advances with world partners are not turned against us in 
the form of advanced military threat.
  Mr. Speaker, NASA is one of the most respected governmental 
institutions in the world and its contributions to the technological 
development in the United States are enormous. This amendment ensures 
that the reputation so painstakingly earned is never tarnished again. I 
want to praise the bill's sponsors, especially the chairman of the 
committee, for standing with us on this amendment and urge passage of 
this rule and this important legislation.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would urge adoption of the rule, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I 
move the previous question on the resolution.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 574, I 
call up the conference report on the bill (H.R. 1654) to authorize 
appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
for fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). Pursuant to House 
Resolution 574, the conference report is considered as having been 
read.
  (For conference report and statement, see proceedings of the House of 
September 12, 2000, at page H7404.)
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will 
control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on the conference report to accompany H.R. 1654.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1654 and urge my colleagues to 
vote for the conference report so that we can send this bipartisan bill 
to the President and have it signed into law.
  This bill is endorsed by all the conferees, regardless of party, in 
both the House and the Senate. I wish to express my appreciation for 
the hard work of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon), 
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) and offer my thanks 
for their services on the conference committee and their suggestions 
for compromise without which we would not be on the House floor today.
  In passing this bill, Congress will help determine the priority 
investments in science and technology needed to fulfill America's 
future in space.
  H.R. 1654, the NASA Authorization Act of 2000, authorizes the 
activity of our civilian space program for fiscal years 2001 and 2002. 
The bill authorizes $14,184,400,000 for NASA in fiscal year 2001, which 
is about $149 million more than the President requested. It also 
authorizes $14,465,400,000 for NASA in fiscal year 2002, which is $160 
million above the President's request.
  The bill fully funds the request for human space flight, including 
the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. More 
importantly, it contains key policy provisions to control cost growth 
and maintain the schedule of the International Space Station.
  The bill caps station costs at $25 billion. We have slightly 
increased the program reserves that a blue ribbon task force argued 
were needed to avoid future costs growth. Additionally, we have added a 
contingency authorization of 20 percent to address the worst case 
scenarios, such as a partner's withdrawal from the program or the loss 
of an element during launch. We have also protected the space station 
design, which will remove a source of future cost growth and scheduled 
delays.
  By moving NASA in the direction of a commercial Transhab structure, 
we transfer the risks and costs of development to any private sector 
entrepreneur willing to take them. We have also developed three new 
provisions to address the Russian situation. For years, the Russian 
Government has failed to provide the resources needed for the Russian 
Space Agency to meet its obligations to the International Space Station 
partnership. These failures have cost the United States some $5 billion 
and delayed the program's completion by over 4 years.
  The Russian Government recently diverted two progress vehicles and a 
Soyuz spacecraft to Mir, despite previous promises to use them to meet 
Russia's obligation to the International Space Station. This bill would 
seek to prevent recurrences by directing the highest levels of the U.S. 
Government to raise this issue with their counterparts in Russia. 
Hopefully, by bringing higher level political attention to the problem, 
we can solve it.

[[Page 18028]]

  The bill also directs the NASA administrator to seek and renegotiate 
the appropriate international agreements to bring the benefits each 
partner receives from its involvement in the International Space 
Station into line with the partner's actual contributions. This 
provision will help us return the International Space Station 
partnership to the equitable foundation required by the 
Intergovernmental Agreement. Simply put, the administrator would have 
to seek to reduce Russia's utilization rights while increasing our own 
and those of our other partners until such time as Russia meets all of 
its obligations to the International Space Station.
  Last but not least, the bill directs the administrator to seek to 
reduce America's share of the operating costs as compensation for any 
additional capabilities we provide to our partners through NASA's 
Russian Program Assurance activities. NASA plans to spend about $1.2 
billion directly making up for Russia's failures. Some of this funding 
will result in a more capable station so it makes sense to reduce our 
outyear costs vis-a-vis the other partners as compensation for 
performing above and beyond the call of duty.
  In addition to the policy provisions intended to improve our human 
space flight program, we have increased funding for the critical area 
of science aeronautics and technology. These critical investments are 
needed to build a better future and have produced such past scientific 
and technological breakthroughs as the Topex-Poseidon spacecraft, which 
has vastly improved our knowledge of the El Nino effect and its impact 
on the global environment.
  NASA's activities in space science have brought us the amazing 
discoveries of distant planets and black holes by the Hubble Space 
Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Aeronautics research has 
improved the performance and efficiency of our military and civilian 
aircraft, while life and microgravity research is helping chart the 
growth of cancer cells.

                              {time}  1315

  These additional funds will accelerate NASA's Near Earth Object 
Survey to detect asteroids and comets that may threaten Earth, to 
enable NASA to conduct an Earth Science Data Purchase program that 
leverages billions in private investments for scientific purposes, to 
allow NASA to fund additional life and microgravity researchers so that 
the International Space Station is fully utilized for scientific 
benefit, and to accelerate NASA's efforts to leverage its scientific 
efforts to improve math and science education in the United States.
  Members may be pleased to hear that we have authorized funding for 
space grant colleges and universities, which many Members from both 
sides of the aisle have sought.
  There have been no NASA authorization bills sent to the President 
since 1992. This is the first time in 8 years that the House and the 
Senate have managed to build a consensus about the policies and 
priorities that affect the future of our space program. By passing this 
bill, we hope to give the appropriators additional tools and guidance 
to use in their annual deliberations. We will provide congressional 
guidance on a variety of space issues facing NASA and again demonstrate 
our commitment to the future of science and technology in the United 
States. I urge my colleagues to adopt this conference report.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to say a few words, add a few words to what 
our chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), has 
said in support of the conference report. The report, of course, 
provides a 3-year authorization for the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. Specifically, it provides a total authorization of 
$42.4 billion over the period starting in fiscal year 2000 through 
fiscal year 2002, including the authorization of $14.184 billion for 
fiscal year 2001 and $14.62 billion for fiscal year 2002.
  While I feel like I may be as conservative maybe as some of the other 
guys around here in the House, I still believe and I think we are on 
solid ground when we invest in NASA. I think it is the right thing to 
do, and I think especially it is the right thing to do now that we 
finally balanced the Federal budget, and that we are in for some years 
of surplus years.
  Within those overall spending levels, the conference report fully 
funds NASA's major programs in both fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 
2002, including the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle. 
As part of the Space Shuttle authorization, funding is provided for 
needed safety and reliability upgrades to the Shuttle. All of the other 
accounts are also funded at or above the levels requested by the 
administration, including the Space Launch Initiative, an initiative 
that is intended to dramatically reduce the cost of getting payloads 
into orbit.
  An area of research that I am personally interested in is life 
science and microgravity research. I am very pleased that the 
conference report increased funding for this important research, 
research that has already benefited our citizens here on Earth in many 
ways, and I am convinced that we will see even more significant 
ventures and more safe returns on our investment in that research once 
the space station is operational.
  Among the areas receiving increases are NASA's educational programs. 
In particular, funding for the Space Grant program have been increased 
to $28 million in both fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2002. That is 
an increase of almost $9 million over what the President had requested 
for fiscal year 2001.
  In addition to other very good features of this bill, in addition to 
the authorization levels, the conference report for H.R. 1654 includes 
a number of policy provisions. One of the policy provisions, namely 
section 313 on ``Innovative Technologies for Human Space Flight,'' was 
proposed by our former chairman and my good friend the late George 
Brown. Ever the visionary, George wished to push NASA to apply the 
lessons of faster, better, and cheaper to human space flight, so that 
human exploration behind Earth's orbit could become affordable for this 
Nation in the not-too-distant future.
  I will not take up a lot more time detailing all the provisions 
included in H.R. 1654; the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner), the chairman, has done a very good job of that.
  My colleagues have copies of the conference report and accompanying 
statement of managers available to them. Instead, I would like to close 
by expressing my appreciation to fellow conferees for all their hard 
work, including the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner), 
who is not only a good guy, he is very knowledgeable. He is good to 
work with, and we appreciate him; the gentleman from California 
(Chairman Rohrabacher), who worked steadily with us; the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon); the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon); 
Chairman McCain; Chairman Frist; Chairman Stevens; Senator Hollings; 
and Senator Breaux.
  In particular, I again want to commend the chairman for his 
leadership; as chairman of the conference, it was a difficult 
conference at times, but I think all the conferees made a good-faith 
effort to achieve a constructive piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, if H.R. 1654 is enacted into law, it will become the 
first NASA Authorization Act enacted since 1992. I think this is quite 
an accomplishment. I believe that it is important for both NASA and for 
the Congress that we do enact H.R. 1654. Furthermore, I believe that 
the conference report for H.R. 1654 represents a reasonable compromise 
that will help ensure the continued strength of the Nation's civil 
space program. I urge my colleagues to support the conference report.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Space and Aeronautics.

[[Page 18029]]


  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, first as the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Space Aeronautics, I would like to personally thank the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), my ranking minority member on 
the committee, for the great spirit of bipartisan spirit that we have 
shown in working together.
  As the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) just stated, this would be the 
first authorization bill that we will pass, the first NASA 
authorization bill that we passed since 1992, and let us all hope that 
we do this and get this through the system. But it has only been 
possible because of the goodwill and the spirit of compromise and 
honest disagreement, but also honest spirit of compromise that we have 
had working with the Members of the other party.
  Let me thank especially the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall). He is 
sort of a treasure in this institution, a bipartisan treasure, let me 
add, in that he has an institutional memory that has served us well on 
this subcommittee and in our full committee, Committee on Science, and 
his good sense has helped guide us along here.
  And also, of course, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner), who is the chairman of this subcommittee. He has 
provided me personal guidance in this job as chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics and helped us be successful in 
our mission.
  The bill before us now, H.R. 1654, the NASA authorization bill, 
offers the taxpayer a true choice in advancing America's leadership 
role in space. I rise in support of this bill, not because it is my 
role as chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics and as a 
member of the team that helped draft the legislation, but because it 
offers the right approach in supporting the Nation's space exploration 
requirements at a time when we find ourselves on the verge of a 
technological and scientific epiphany.
  H.R. 1654 reflects a bipartisan effort, as I said, to craft 
legislation enabling NASA to continue its work for the good of the 
Nation. Moreover, House and Senate conferees on both sides of the aisle 
labored for many months to ensure that this bill strikes the right 
balance between setting budget priorities and meeting NASA mission 
needs, as well as meeting the needs of our country to remain a leader 
in space exploration and utilization.
  H.R. 1654 addresses the full array of elements that support NASA's 
responsibility for space exploration and near-Earth space 
transportation missions. In the Human Space Flight section of H.R. 
1654, funding for international Space Station, the Space Shuttle, 
Payload/Expendable Launch Vehicle Support and Investments and support 
for these things, and support matches the President's request for 
fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2002.
  Within the science and aeronautics section and the technology 
section, the bill either matches or exceeds the President's request for 
fiscal year 2001 and 2002. And even in the face of major failures 
involving both Mars missions, we saw fit to authorize increases for 
space science by the tune of $19 million for fiscal year 2001 and $24 
million for fiscal year 2002, and that was above the President's 
requested level.
  That is, again, working together, we realized that if we are going to 
be a successful player in space, we have got to expect that that 
success will come with some failures, and we should build upon our 
failures in order to have a success.
  Failures do not precipitate in this committee, bipartisan or should I 
say partisan, bickering that would in some way set back America's space 
program. Instead, we see failures as a means to learn and to move 
forward. It is important to note that space solar power benefits from 
those increases that I have been talking about today, and this space 
solar power and ability to relay system for energy and space solar 
power development is a technology that I believe will help address the 
energy needs of our country in the future.
  Similarly, increases have been authorized for life and microgravity 
science are 13 percent higher than the President's request for the same 
year. Further, Earth science, aerospace technology, and academic 
programs for fiscal year 2001 and 2002 have seen substantial increases 
over the President's request. And finally, I am pleased to note that 
H.R. 1654 includes provisions to ensure that cooperative agreements 
between NASA and the People's Republic of China do not result in China 
improving its space launch assets and its ballistic missile 
capabilities.
  H.R. 1654 contains a title regarding the International Space Station, 
including sections dealing with Russia's difficulty in meeting its 
obligations in the completion of the International Space Station. This 
issue was addressed by the chairman, and let me say the chairman has 
provided leadership in making sure that we do have cooperation with 
Russia, but to be done so in a way that is cost effective for our 
country.
  We also have provisions to ensure that the space station is used for 
the scientific purposes that it was intended for and not just an 
engineering project, although, as an engineering project, it is 
certainly a fantastic and laudable achievement.
  NASA's Space Launch Initiative offers the American people the 
opportunity to change how government has conducted the launch vehicle 
technology development, and through H.R. 1654, Congress essentially 
codifies the long-standing view that government launch needs can be 
supported by a market-competitive space industry.
  So we have, and it is not enough, however, to proclaim a national 
space policy. NASA must stay the course by funding technology and other 
risk-reduction activities that gives the broadest possible applications 
of new space technologies.
  And so I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this regulation 
legislation, the first NASA authorization bill that we have been able 
to get through this body in about 10 years.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Space and Aeronautics of the Committee on Science.
  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report 
on H.R. 1654, the NASA Authorization Act of 2000. I was a conferee on 
H.R. 1654, and I know the work that went into coming up with an 
agreement. While it is not a perfect piece of legislation, I believe 
that it is a constructive agreement that contains a number of useful 
policy provisions.
  It also establishes funding targets for the next 2 years, which can 
provide important direction and stability for the Nation's civil space 
program.
  The Statement of Managers that accompanies the conference report lays 
out the major funding authorizations. It also describes some of the 
policy provisions included in H.R. 1654. As a result, I will not spend 
a great deal of time discussing the details of H.R. 1654; instead, I 
would just like to make the following points:
  First, this bipartisan conference report endorses, and in some cases, 
augments, the administration's funding priorities for NASA. I am 
pleased that we can get a bipartisan agreement that the 
administration's vision for NASA should be supported.
  Second, the conference report adds funding in several important 
areas.
  One of these areas is in education. I know firsthand in my district 
how important it is that we do all we can to support science and math 
education, especially at some of our smaller colleges and universities. 
Therefore, we have included increased funding for NASA's teacher 
faculty preparation enhancement programs in this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition, many Members recognize the value of the 
national space grant college and fellowship program, and the bill 
increases funding for that worthy program.
  We also have provided funding above the President's request for 
minority university research education, and we have increased the 
funding for the experimental program to stimulate cooperative research.
  Another area where the conference has added funding is in the area of 
aeronautics. We have seen the stresses

[[Page 18030]]

that the air traffic transportation system is facing these days, and we 
all are concerned about the impacts on our quality of life.

                              {time}  1330

  That is why this conference report significantly increases the amount 
of funding for research on aircraft noise reduction, and for the 
development of cleaner, more energy efficient aircraft engines. The 
bill also makes a significant investment of $70 million in NASA's 
Aviation Safety Research Program for both fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, I will not take any more time to review the conference 
report, as I know there are others who would like to speak. Instead, I 
would just like to close by expressing my appreciation to my fellow 
conferees in both the House and Senate for their efforts to make this a 
productive conference. I am pleased that we were able to reach an 
agreement, and hope the House will support this conference report.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Weldon), a member of the conference.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding 
me time, and I rise in strong support of this legislation.
  I, too, would like to commend the chairman and the ranking member of 
the full committee and as well the chairman of the subcommittee, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), and the ranking minority 
member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), for the bipartisan 
willingness to work together to try to get a bill through. I would also 
like to acknowledge the staff that worked very hard on this, Eric 
Sterner on the majority side and Dick Obermann.
  I believe we have before us a good piece of legislation that the 
President should be pleased to sign into law.
  It has been said several times that this is the first NASA bill in 8 
years. It may also be the first NASA bill to come to the floor of the 
House while astronauts are orbiting above us as we speak. The Shuttle 
Atlantis was launched a week ago Friday, and they are completing the 
initial preparations for making the Space Station ready for a permanent 
crew, or a crew that will stay on orbit for 4 months that will be 
launched in November. They are currently working on a lot of electrical 
work, on getting the station ready and putting a lot of supplies up 
there.
  I think it is a tremendous milestone that we have reached to be able 
to see the Space Station finally coming together, it has been very 
hotly debated on the floor of this body, and as well for us to be 
moving ahead with important legislative priorities for how we are going 
to manage the Space Station.
  One of the features in this bill that I am quite pleased with, and I 
would just like to echo the comments made by the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) about some of the educational priorities in the 
bill, I think they are very good. I am particularly pleased about the 
feature in this bill establishing a new approach to how we handle 
commercial space. I believe if space is ever going to be utilized the 
way I think many of us would like to see it utilized, we have to really 
see a flourishing of commercial operations in space.
  What we are trying to do in this legislation is take a new approach 
as to how we do commercial space. I think it has a tremendous potential 
to be successful. The proof of the pudding is, of course, always in the 
eating, so time will tell, but I was very pleased to be able to work 
with the minority in crafting this bill, and I think it is a good 
future direction for NASA.
  NASA is about the future, and I think we have a lot of reasons to be 
very pleased with this bill. I encourage all my colleagues to support 
it.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Lampson) whose district encircles Johnson Space Center.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend not only the ranking 
member and the chairman for the significant work that has been done to 
bring this report to us, but all of our colleagues on the conference 
committee for bringing the first conference report for our NASA 
authorization bill in 8 years. I know the amount of time and hard work 
that each put into this bill, as well as the tremendous work of the 
committee staff, especially on our side, Dick Obermann, and I 
appreciate every bit of it.
  I look forward to lending my support to this conference report, but I 
want to express my continued concerns about Section 127. Section 127 in 
its current form retains subsection (a), Replacement Structure, which 
is a general prohibition against NASA's use of funds authorized for the 
definition, design, procurement or development of an inflatable space 
structure to replace any International Space Station components 
scheduled for launch under the June 1999 Assembly Sequence. Subsection 
(b) has been revised to reflect an exception to permit NASA to lease or 
otherwise use a commercially provided inflatable habitation module 
under certain specified conditions.
  As currently included in the June 29 House draft, Section 128 would 
effectively prevent NASA from jointly developing an inflatable 
habitation module with a commercial partner, even if NASA's 
contribution to such joint development were to be constrained to NASA's 
planned investment and related costs.
  NASA is currently evaluating a very serious commercial proposal. 
Negotiations to date have been based on the principle that NASA would 
agree to develop an inflatable space structure in conjunction with the 
commercial participant only if NASA does not assume costs or risk 
greater than those associated with the baseline non-inflatable 
habitation module.
  I will be introducing legislation today that will modify Section 
127(b) to include an exception for joint development, and a 
clarification that the cost restriction would apply to NASA's planned 
remaining cost for the baseline habitation module.
  That being said, I again want to commend my colleagues on bringing 
this conference report to the floor. It funds all of NASA's accounts, 
Space Station, Space Shuttle, Space Launch Initiative, science programs 
and academic programs, at or above the President's request. We 
appreciate that. I encourage a yes vote.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) for the purposes of a 
colloquy.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise to engage the distinguished 
chairman of the Committee on Science (Mr. Sensenbrenner) in a colloquy.
  Mr. Speaker, as we grapple with increasing oil and natural gas 
prices, we must realize that the administration's flawed 1997 Kyoto 
Protocol, if implemented, would effectively double our energy costs and 
sacrifice millions of American jobs. As the gentleman is aware, many 
people are deeply concerned over administration efforts to implement 
the protocol prior to Senate ratification as mandated by the 
Constitution.
  Section 315 of the NASA reauthorization legislation would provide $5 
million for research on the carbon cycle and carbon sequestration. 
Sound scientific research on the mapping and monitoring of vegetation 
and its role in the carbon cycle is to be commended. However, modeling 
and research should not cross the line and delve into carbon trading.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I share the concerns of the gentleman 
from Michigan, and as the chairman of the Committee on Science, I want 
to assure the gentleman that there was no intent to and indeed this 
bill does not authorize modeling or research into carbon trading.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the 
gentleman from Wisconsin for his attention to this matter.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge), a member of the committee.
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.

[[Page 18031]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this conference report and to 
discuss one of the important initiatives which it contains. As has been 
said, this is the first NASA reauthorization to pass Congress since 
1992, and I want to congratulate the chairman and ranking Democratic 
members on the Committee on Science and the subcommittees, on which I 
have the pleasure of serving, for the accomplishment of have gotten 
this bill here.
  This is not a perfect bill, but I think, on balance, it represents 
significant progress. This bill increases funding for many important 
priorities, including space science, Earth science, aerospace 
technology, science grants, Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities and other vital initiatives.
  As the former superintendent of North Carolina's schools, I am 
particularly pleased by the improvements in the educational provisions 
of this bill, and I am proud to discuss an important education 
initiative that I recommended and the committee accepted that is a part 
of this bill.
  This bill directs NASA to develop an education initiative for our 
Nation's schools in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the first 
powered flight which will take place on December 17, 2003. On this date 
in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright took their dreams of powered flight 
from the drawing boards of their bicycle shop to the Crystal Coast of 
North Carolina. On that day, our world was changed forever. The 
anniversary of this historic accomplishment provides an excellent 
opportunity for our Nation's schools to promote the importance of math 
and science and education.
  Mr. Speaker, America's future will depend on our ability to adapt to 
change in technology that will dominate life in the 21st century. Our 
Nation's record economic growth is being fueled by gains in the 
technology sector, but recent studies show that America's students are 
falling behind their counterparts around the world in areas of math and 
science education. It is no longer a luxury to demand excellence in 
science and mathematics; it is an absolute necessity.
  The 100th Anniversary of Flight Education Initiative will use the 
history of flight and the benefits of flight on science and mathematics 
and scientific principles that are underlying the flight to generate 
interest among students in math and science education. This initiative 
provides an excellent opportunity to recapture our young people's 
interests in the wonders of flight and space exploration and rekindle 
their interests in math and science.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the committee's leaders for including this 
important provision in the bill, and encourage my colleagues to support 
this conference report.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding 
me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report for H.R. 
1654, the NASA Authorization Act of 2000. I want to certainly commend 
the chairman of the Committee on Science, the gentleman from Wisconsin 
(Mr. Sensenbrenner); and the committee ranking member, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Hall); as well as the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Space and Aeronautics, the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher); 
and the subcommittee ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Gordon), for their dedication and their efforts in bringing this bill 
to the floor.
  In my home State of Maryland, we are proud to have the Goddard Space 
Flight Center, the centerpiece of NASA's Earth science enterprise. The 
space science research that is performed at Goddard is vital, not just 
for NASA, but for our country. From the Hubble Space Telescope to the 
Earth Observing System's Mission to Planet Earth to the Tracking and 
Data Relay Satellite System, which is NASA's primary satellite 
communications system, Goddard's capabilities and functions are 
entirely unique to all of NASA's 10 space centers.
  The work at Goddard allows us to answer the unexplained questions of 
our universe and help predict the future of our planet. So I am pleased 
that the funding levels in this conference report allow Goddard to 
continue fulfilling its vital scientific research mission.
  H.R. 1654 provides a healthy 2-year authorization of appropriations 
for NASA at $14.184 billion for fiscal year 2001, and $14.625 billion 
for fiscal year 2002. These funding levels represent an increase over 
the amount requested by the President of almost $150 million in fiscal 
year 2001 and $160 million in fiscal year 2002. Specifically, for 
NASA's space science programs, the conference report increases the 
President's budget request by $19 million in fiscal year 2001 and $24 
million the subsequent year. For Earth science programs, the conference 
report increases the President's budget request by $25 million in 
fiscal year 2001 and $25 million in the subsequent year 2002.
  So, by authorizing these NASA funding levels, the research at Goddard 
will advance our understanding of our global environment system. It 
will also determine how the Earth has evolved, and observe how we 
interact with other planets.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the funding levels and the provisions in this 
conference report, and I urge my colleagues to support this conference 
report as well.

                              {time}  1345

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), a supporter of NASA and the space 
station.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate the 
chairman of the committee and the ranking member, along with the 
subcommittee Chair and ranking member. I believe this is a day of great 
celebration and commemoration. For we hope, as this bill is supported 
by our colleagues, as I ask for their support, that this may be the 
first NASA space authorization bill that gets to the President since 
1992.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation in particular 
because of the work that has been done by the conference committee, 
particularly noting that the conference report includes a $6.3 billion 
amount for the International Space Station, and $9.45 billion for the 
Space Shuttle.
  Now, there needs to be some substance behind these numbers. Many of 
my colleagues from Texas, and I appreciate very much the steadfastness 
of the ranking member on behalf of the various space centers throughout 
our country, which include, of course, Marshall and Kennedy and, of 
course, Johnson Space Center, that deal particularly with our Space 
Shuttle and, as well, our International Space Station.
  Mr. Speaker, I am gratified for the investment, because my concern 
has always been that we need to build leaders for space and science in 
the future; and out of this funding for the NASA space effort comes the 
recognition that we must support, historically supporting Asian, 
Hispanic and African American colleges. There is $54 million to provide 
for the research and education of young people at these institutions. I 
am very gratified that institutions like Texas Southern University, 
Oakwood College in Huntsville, Texas Southern University being in 
Houston, Texas, will be able to access these dollars to provide 
opportunities for young students to come in and actually confront the 
issues of space.
  I am gratified, likewise, that we have the dollars to begin to assess 
the needs of training our young people in the primary and secondary 
schools in math and science.
  Mr. Speaker, just an hour or so ago I was listening to a technology 
conference that spoke about the need of improving the scores of our 
young people in primary and secondary education in math and science. 
The only way we can do it is if we focus on it; and I am very delighted 
that NASA funding in an educational component mentioned by my colleague 
will include the opportunity for us to make it interesting to study 
math and science.
  I do want to note the Johnson Space Center and many of the sort of 
complementary efforts that it has made

[[Page 18032]]

with our school districts, and I look forward to that work being done 
even more.
  I do want to note as well that the conference report does not include 
a prohibition on the use of funds for the Triana satellite program, and 
I believe that was a prudent decision by the conferees. We must keep 
our resource choices open in the area of space exploration, especially 
in light of the recent discoveries on the surfaces of Mars and the 
Moon. There was a vigorous debate about that, and I am delighted that 
we have been able to secure the funding for the Triana program. I think 
it is vital and necessary.
  I am, however, concerned that the agreement still retains a House 
provision prohibiting the use of funds for the development of Trans-
Hab, an inflatable space structure to replace any baseline module on 
the space station. I think that there is some light at the end of the 
tunnel, because there is the opportunity to produce this privately; but 
I hope to join the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) in hoping that we 
can also engage with public funds to do this important work.
  Finally, I would say that many people question what we do with monies 
when we give it to the space station and the Space Shuttle. I am 
reminded of the great strides we have made in diabetes research, heart 
research, HIV/AIDS research, cancer research; but the most important 
aspect of what we do is to keep America in front of the technological 
curve and to work with our partners to develop opportunities in 
enhancing environment, better fuel resources, and training our young 
people for the work of the 21st century. I congratulate our committee, 
and I hope the President will sign this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the passage of H.R. 1654, 
the Conference Report on NASA Reauthorization. When the House passed 
the bill by a vote of 259-168 on May 19, 1999 and the Senate amended 
the bill and passed it by unanimous consent on Nov. 5, 1999 it became 
obvious that this is a bipartisan measure in the truest sense.
  Because of the strategic location of the constituents of the 18th 
Congressional District of Houston, Texas, both physically and 
passionately to America's space effort, I approach this hearing with 
much concern. The Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas has been 
designated the lead center for management of the Space Station program.
  The health of America's space program is of vital concern to all of 
the Members of the House Science Committee. This concern is strongly 
felt by those of us on the Subcommittee on Space Aeronautics because we 
are charged with the heavy responsibility of recommendation and 
oversight of the United States involvement in space exploration.
  The last time a NASA reauthorization bill reached the president was 
in 1992. Since then, funding and policy decisions for NASA have been 
made in the VA-HUD appropriations bill.
  This agreement authorizes $42.4 billion for FY 2000 through FY 2002 
for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)--including 
$13.6 billion in FY 2000, $14.2 billion in FY 2001 and $14.6 billion in 
FY 2002. The FY 2001 authorization is approximately $149 million more 
than the administration's request, $430 million more than the House-
passed bill and $220 million more than the Senate version. The 
agreement provides approximately $160 million more than the president 
requested in FY 2002, $780 million more than in the House-passed bill 
and $410 million more than the Senate-passed measure.
  FY 2000 authorizations, reflecting the FY 2000 appropriations, 
include $5.5 billion for Human Space Flight, $5.6 billion for Science, 
Aeronautics and Technology, $2.5 billion for Mission Support and $20 
million for the NASA Inspector General.
  The authorization total of $2.1 billion is provided for the 
international space station in FY 2001 and $1.9 billion in FY 2002. The 
agreement includes a cost cap of $25.0 billion for development of the 
international space station. Space shuttle launch costs connected with 
assembly of the space station are capped by the agreement at $17.7 
billion.
  Unlike the House-passed bill, the agreement does not include a 
prohibition on the use of funds for the Triana satellite program, which 
I believe to be a prudent decision by the conferees. We must keep our 
research choices open in the area of space exploration especially in 
light of the recent discoveries on the surface of Mars and the Moon.
  The agreement retains the House provision prohibiting the use of 
funds for the development of Trans-Hab, an inflatable space structure, 
to replace any baseline module on the space station. The agreement, 
however, does permit NASA to lease a privately developed Trans-Hab.
  I believe that the reauthorization of NASA is long overdue, but that 
it is better that the 106th Congress took its time to act than to have 
not acted at all in this vital area of our nation's interest.
  I thank the conferees for their dedication in completing the work on 
this legislation and would urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor 
of its passage.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), the vice chairman of the Committee on 
Science.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this 
time.
  We have heard a great deal of discussion about the specifics of this 
bill. I simply wish to add some general comments about it.
  First of all, I want to congratulate the chairman of the Committee on 
Science for successfully, for the first time in almost a decade, 
getting a conference report on NASA authorization with the Senate's 
cooperation. I believe this is a good omen for the future, and I 
certainly congratulate the chairman for his hard work and his success.
  Over the past half century, America has led the world in science. 
Also during that half century, space science has captured the 
imagination of the American public to a greater extent than any other 
scientific work that we have performed. Taking a trip to the Moon was a 
momentous event, not only for our Nation, but for our entire planet; 
and we continue to bask in that accomplishment today.
  However, now we are down to the hard work of not only exploring 
space, but learning more about our universe through experimentation in 
space. This is grinding hard work, perhaps not as glorious as going to 
the Moon, but extremely important; and I am very pleased that this bill 
will increase our ability to perform space science as the United 
States, with the cooperation of other nations, during the next half 
century. It will be a long time before we engage in interplanetary 
travel, so we will not have that spectacular show for some time; but we 
will get a lot accomplished in space thanks to this bill, and it will 
provide a great deal of knowledge that will be very useful to our 
Nation and to the people of our planet in the future as we continue to 
expand the boundaries of our knowledge and find uses for the results 
that we find.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).
  Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference 
report and add to the chorus of extending my personal gratitude for the 
outstanding leadership performed by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on Science, and the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), the ranking member, and the other 
distinguished members of the conference committee and the Committee on 
Science in general for their hard work.
  I also would like to commend directly the men and women of NASA and 
their visionary leader, Administrator Dan Goldin. His vision of 
aerospace as a commercial industry, and as continued space exploration, 
the confluence in coming together of biotechnology, information 
technology, and the nanosciences is what places this country on the 
cutting edge of technology.
  I have had the opportunity to bring our astronauts to our schools. 
These heroes of space exploration indeed are an inspiration to all of 
our children. Now, this is just a small portion of what NASA does for 
the continuing education of our children, especially in the critical 
areas of math and science.
  I would also like to thank very much the conference committee for 
including the ultra-efficient engine technology. As Administrator 
Goldin has pointed out, when it comes to engine technology, there is no 
greater core science that goes into the creation of machine than that 
science, math and engineering capability that goes into the making of 
aircraft.

[[Page 18033]]

  Again, I commend the chairman and the entire committee.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the 
time, just to say that this is a good bill, it is an excellent 
compromise, it is something that has been done for the first time in 8 
years. I urge the membership to support it.
  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1654, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act is a fiscally responsible space bill 
that not only authorizes appropriations for NASA, but also imposes 
rules and restrictions on the space agency to ensure appropriate 
spending of federal funds.
  As a member of the House Committee on Science, and as a member of the 
Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, I am very concerned that NASA 
receives adequate funding. Citizens of the United States benefit 
economically from the many technologies learned through space 
exploration. Much of today's technology came from the space program, 
and much of tomorrow's technology will come from research taking place 
today. These new technologies will not only make our lives better but 
also will increase health and medical advances, labor and time saving 
devices, transportation and improve communication devices. Clearly, the 
new technologies generated from our space program greatly impact our 
economic growth and our ability to remain competitive in the world 
marketplace.
  Additionally, the bill will set a spending cap on Space Station 
development thereby forcing our foreign partners to live up to their 
commitments.
  Mr. Speaker, it is vital for the U.S. to remain on the cutting edge 
of scientific discoveries and technological advances, and H.R. 1654 
provides the funding to ensure that NASA spearheads both of these 
efforts. I urge my colleagues to support this Act and safeguard the 
future of generations to come.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1654, the 
NASA Reauthorization bill. This is an exciting week to bring this 
legislation to the floor as the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis 
prepares the International Space Station for full-time service. In 
addition to the Space Station, this bill provides funding for NASA's 
other priorities including the Space Shuttle Program and for the Earth 
and Space Science program.
  I opposed this legislation when the House first took it up because of 
efforts to kill the Triana Satellite Mission. Triana, a project 
directed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, 
California in conjunction with the Goddard Space Flight Center in my 
District, would provide not only a real-time view of the Earth for 
distribution on the Internet, but will also include instruments to 
study solar influences on climate, ultraviolet radiation, space 
weather, and the microphysical properties of clouds. I thank my 
colleagues in the Senate for taking the partisanship out of this 
important program.
  This conference report also authorizes significant funding for the 
Science, Aeronautics, and Technology Account. The $2.3 billion for 
Space Science will insure that the Hubble Space Telescope Program 
continues to provide us with phenomenal data over the next ten years. 
It is crucial that Hubble's successor, the Next Generation Space 
Telescope, receive the necessary support to match and surpass Hubble's 
success. In addition, the $1.5 billion for NASA's Earth Science 
programs will insure that programs like the Landsat, a cornerstone of 
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, can continue to study the Earth's 
global environment, and that the Terra Satellite, which has been vital 
in the past week in fighting wild fires in the west, receives the 
funding necessary for continuing operations.
  I urge my colleagues to support this conference report and support 
NASA as we continue to explore our last frontier.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, 
and I move the previous question on the conference report.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The question is on the 
conference report.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
  The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 399, 
nays 17, not voting 17, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 475]

                               YEAS--399

     Abercrombie
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Andrews
     Archer
     Baca
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldacci
     Baldwin
     Ballenger
     Barcia
     Barr
     Barrett (NE)
     Bartlett
     Barton
     Bass
     Bentsen
     Bereuter
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop
     Blagojevich
     Bliley
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonior
     Bono
     Borski
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (FL)
     Brown (OH)
     Bryant
     Burr
     Burton
     Buyer
     Callahan
     Calvert
     Camp
     Canady
     Cannon
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardin
     Carson
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chambliss
     Clayton
     Clement
     Clyburn
     Coburn
     Collins
     Combest
     Condit
     Cook
     Cooksey
     Costello
     Cox
     Coyne
     Cramer
     Crane
     Crowley
     Cubin
     Cummings
     Cunningham
     Danner
     Davis (FL)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (VA)
     Deal
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     DeLay
     DeMint
     Deutsch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dickey
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Dixon
     Doggett
     Dooley
     Doolittle
     Doyle
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ehrlich
     Emerson
     Engel
     English
     Etheridge
     Evans
     Everett
     Ewing
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Fletcher
     Foley
     Forbes
     Fossella
     Fowler
     Franks (NJ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Frost
     Gallegly
     Ganske
     Gejdenson
     Gekas
     Gephardt
     Gibbons
     Gilchrest
     Gillmor
     Gilman
     Gonzalez
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Goodling
     Gordon
     Goss
     Graham
     Granger
     Green (TX)
     Green (WI)
     Gutknecht
     Hall (OH)
     Hall (TX)
     Hansen
     Hastings (FL)
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Hayworth
     Hefley
     Herger
     Hill (IN)
     Hill (MT)
     Hilleary
     Hilliard
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hobson
     Hoeffel
     Hoekstra
     Holden
     Holt
     Hooley
     Horn
     Hostettler
     Houghton
     Hoyer
     Hulshof
     Hunter
     Hutchinson
     Hyde
     Inslee
     Isakson
     Istook
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jefferson
     Jenkins
     John
     Johnson (CT)
     Johnson, E.B.
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jones (OH)
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Kasich
     Kelly
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick
     Kind (WI)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kleczka
     Knollenberg
     Kolbe
     Kucinich
     Kuykendall
     LaFalce
     LaHood
     Lampson
     Lantos
     Largent
     Larson
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Leach
     Levin
     Lewis (CA)
     Lewis (GA)
     Lewis (KY)
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Lofgren
     Lowey
     Lucas (KY)
     Lucas (OK)
     Luther
     Maloney (CT)
     Maloney (NY)
     Manzullo
     Markey
     Mascara
     Matsui
     McCarthy (MO)
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McIntyre
     McKeon
     McKinney
     McNulty
     Meehan
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Menendez
     Metcalf
     Mica
     Millender-McDonald
     Miller (FL)
     Miller, Gary
     Minge
     Mink
     Moakley
     Mollohan
     Moore
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Morella
     Murtha
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nethercutt
     Ney
     Northup
     Norwood
     Nussle
     Oberstar
     Obey
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     Smith (MI)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
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     Taylor (NC)
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     Young (AK)
     Young (FL)

[[Page 18034]]



                                NAYS--17

     Barrett (WI)
     Chenoweth-Hage
     Coble
     Conyers
     DeFazio
     Frank (MA)
     Lee
     McInnis
     Miller, George
     Paul
     Ramstad
     Roemer
     Sanders
     Sanford
     Schaffer
     Stark
     Tancredo

                             NOT VOTING--17

     Ackerman
     Armey
     Becerra
     Campbell
     Clay
     Eshoo
     Ford
     Greenwood
     Gutierrez
     Klink
     Lazio
     Linder
     Martinez
     McCollum
     McIntosh
     Vento
     Wise

                              {time}  1424

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea''.
  So the conference report was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________