[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12337-12364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 6063.

                              {time}  1517


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 6063) to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, and for other purposes, with Ms. Bordallo in the 
chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the 
first time.
  The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Hall) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Chairman, today I am asking my colleagues in the House to 
ensure this country's leadership in space and aeronautics program by 
passing H.R. 6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008.
  First, I want to thank and commend Chairman Udall of the Subcommittee 
on Space and Aeronautics on his leadership in introducing this bill and 
for taking a clear bipartisan approach to the development of H.R. 6063. 
I was pleased to be original cosponsor, but I was even more pleased 
that ranking minority member of our Committee on Science and 
Technology, Mr. Hall of Texas, and ranking minority member of our 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Mr. Feeney of Florida, were also 
original cosponsors.
  Madam Chairman, their actions show that the importance of NASA's 
future in space and aeronautics is truly a bipartisan concern. And I 
want to thank them for their full support.

[[Page 12338]]

  In that regard, I also would like to thank Ed Feddeman, Ken Monroe, 
Katy Crooks, and Lee Arnold of the minority staff for their help on 
this legislation. I also want to thank and acknowledge the hard work of 
our majority staff involved in the development of the bill, Space and 
Aeronautics Subcommittee staff director Dick Obermann, Allen Li, Pam 
Whitney, Devin Bryant, and John Piazza.
  This bill passed the subcommittee and the full committee unanimously. 
And I think that record is in no small part due to the hard work that 
both sides of the aisle put into this legislation.
  Madam Chairman, as we look to the transition to the new 
administration next year, it's important that Congress send a strong 
message on the best future course for our Nation's space and 
aeronautics program. The bipartisan consensus we have reached on H.R. 
6063 signals that Congress believes a balanced NASA program of science, 
aeronautics, and human spaceflight, and exploration is important and 
worthy of the Nation's support. Yet I want to emphasize that H.R. 6063 
takes a fiscally-responsible approach to providing this support.
  The baseline authorization represents a 2.8 percent increase, which 
is inflationary at best, over the level of the authorization of fiscal 
year 2008. The bill also includes a special funding augmentation to 
accelerate the development of the crew exploration vehicle and thus 
minimize the human spaceflight gap that will make us dependent on the 
Russians to get our astronauts to and from the International Space 
Station until the CEV is operational.
  I don't think any of us wants to or looks forward to the day when we 
must rely on another Nation to launch U.S. astronauts into space, but 
that is what we face. I want to minimize that dependency as much as 
possible.
  However, even including that augmentation, the total funding 
authorization will only get us back to NASA's fiscal year 1992 funding 
level in terms of purchasing power.
  H.R. 6063's baseline authorization also reflects the importance of 
NASA to the Nation's innovation agenda. NASA science and technology 
activities contribute much to our national competitiveness initiative, 
and I think we need to recognize NASA's role in that regard. NASA was 
included in last year's America COMPETES Act, but we didn't include an 
authorization then since we knew we would be reauthorizing NASA this 
year.
  H.R. 6063 does that providing by providing a baseline authorization 
for NASA that includes a rate of increase over the fiscal year 2008 
appropriated level that is consistent with the rate of increase 
proposed for agencies included under the America COMPETES Act.
  Madam Chairman, this bill includes many provisions that are critical 
to ensuring the future strength of our Nation, including both the 
future health of our aviation system and our ability to better 
understand and respond to climate change and other challenges facing 
the earth's system.
  It isn't always recognized that NASA counts for some three-fifths of 
the Nation's climate research funding. And it's a critical part of the 
Nation's climate research efforts. In addition, H.R. 6063 demonstrates 
that a properly structured human spaceflight and exploration program 
can provide benefits of technological, scientific, and geopolitical 
significance that are worthy of our Nation's investment.
  This bill also includes provisions that will ensure a productive 
return on the Nation's investment in developing and assembling an 
international space station and encourages the use of the commercial 
services to transport cargo and eventually crew to the station. We need 
to ensure that NASA has sufficient resources for all of these and other 
important tasks that the Nation has asked to carry out, and I believe 
this bill does that.
  Madam Chairman, the United States has been a global leader in 
technology and innovation for decades. However, an esteemed committee 
of the National Academies raised a deep concern in its groundbreaking 
report, Rise Above the Gathering Storm, stating ``that the scientific 
and technical building blocks critical to our economic leadership are 
eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength.''
  With China, India, and other global players committed to building 
robust aeronautics and space programs, that it is incumbent upon the 
United States to rise to the challenge.
  This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the dawn of the space age 
and the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of NASA. NASA has been one 
of the crown jewels of the Nation's R&D enterprise over the past 50 
years. I want to ensure that it remains so for the next 50, and I 
believe this bill will help turn that into a reality.
  Madam Chairman, this bill has been endorsed by a host of 
organizations ranging from the American Association of Universities to 
the National Association of Manufacturers. I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 6063 to ensure America's continued leadership and 
accomplishments in space and aeronautics over the next 50 years.
  Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume and make sure that I can reserve enough for those that will 
follow me.
  Madam Chairman, H.R. 6063, sponsored by my good friend Mark Udall, 
authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal 
year 2009. As our chairman has very adequately stated, it's a product 
of very close bipartisan consultation and cooperation led by Chairman 
Udall and by Chairman Gordon.
  Representative Tom Feeney, ranking member of the Space and 
Aeronautics Subcommittee, and I are original cosponsors of this bill, 
and it builds a 1-year authorization. The intent of the bill is to keep 
NASA on its current path towards completing the International Space 
Station, retiring the Space Shuttle, maintaining a balanced set of 
science and aeronautics research programs, and developing a new launch 
system capable of taking humans beyond the low earth orbit, a feat the 
Shuttle cannot do.
  The bill is also meant to reaffirm Congress's unwavering support for 
NASA so as to remove any doubt the next administration might have about 
Congress's commitment to NASA's program and to NASA's policies.
  By being a 1-year bill, it also is designed, I think, to not tie the 
hands of the next administration to a long-term strategy. To the 
contrary, H.R. 6063 is designed to give the next President an 
opportunity to work with the next Congress to fashion a long-term 
strategy that is consistent with the administration's desires as well 
as the wishes of Congress.
  H.R. 6063 contains a number of important provisions. It authorizes 
$19.2 billion for NASA for fiscal year 2009 and provides an additional 
$1 billion to accelerate development of the new Constellation crew 
vehicle launch system. It emphasizes that NASA should maintain a strong 
and balanced array of science, aeronautics, and human spaceflight 
programs and also directs NASA to fly out its full manifest of Shuttle 
missions, including those dedicated to flying spare parts to the 
International Space Station, as well as adding a flight to take the 
Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the ISS as we originally committed to do 
so some years ago. This experiment was stricken from the Shuttle 
manifest following the Columbia tragedy, but I think given the huge 
sunk investment in AMS, we ought to make good on our original 
commitments to fly this expensive instrument to the ISS.
  H.R. 6063 directs NASA to continue the important task of developing 
the Constellation system which will provide our country with a modern, 
more robust and safer manned spaceflight capability that will enable 
our astronauts to fly out of low earth orbit, an ability we haven't had 
since the retirement of Apollo over 30 years ago.
  As most of you are aware, once the Shuttle is retired at the end of 
this decade, our country will have to buy seats from the Russians for 
as long as maybe 5 years even to assure U.S. presence on the 
International Space Station. Our payments for rides on Soyuz

[[Page 12339]]

spacecraft have not yet been negotiated, but it's going to be 
expensive. NASA estimates it will cost more than $2 billion, and sadly, 
we're making these purchases at a time when NASA will be laying off 
thousands of engineers and technicians from the Shuttle program in an 
effort to minimize our reliance on the Russians.
  As I mentioned a moment ago, this bill authorizes an additional $1 
billion to speed up the development of the new Constellation system. 
This initial investment is more than justified.
  This bill also includes a number of provisions to encourage NASA 
working with the private sector to foster development of a domestic 
cargo launch capability primarily designed to take supplies to the 
space station. In addition, 6063 includes language directing NASA to 
solicit for commercial crew launch capability.
  Turning to other parts of NASA, let me quickly say H.R. 6063 embraces 
a number of recommendations that were put forth by the witnesses from 
government, from industry, from academia, and testified, all of them 
testified in hearings before our committee over the previous 18 months. 
These are sensible provisions designed to strengthen aeronautic space 
science and earth science research programs, encourage technology, risk 
reduction policies and activities, foster efficient technology, 
transfer from NASA to other Federal agencies under the private sector, 
detect and mitigate the threat of near-earth objects, and research and 
monitor the effects of space weather on satellites.

                              {time}  1530

  This list is not exhaustive, but I wanted to mention these few 
examples to emphasize to all Members the breadth of this bill and how 
it improves upon many of NASA's activities and programs.
  So as we stand here today, the space shuttle is in orbit, wrapping up 
another assembly mission to the International Space Station. May I add 
that the spouse of one of our Members, Representative Giffords of 
Arizona, is currently commanding this mission.
  NASA has had two other recent success activities. Just 15 days ago, 
the Phoenix Mars Lander successfully completed a soft landing on the 
red planet's surface and is in the early stages of searching for 
evidence of ice and organic compounds. And yesterday, NASA successfully 
launched a gamma-ray large area space telescope onboard a Delta II 
rocket.
  These are but three of the most current NASA accomplishments. There 
are many, many other great achievements in aeronautics, space science, 
and Earth science research that I could talk about, but time doesn't 
permit. Suffice it to say that NASA is one of the most exciting and 
innovative Federal agencies, and it serves as a huge inspiration to our 
young people to take a serious interest in math and science education.
  Before closing, I want to point out that during development of this 
bill, the subcommittee Democratic staff have been very open and 
forthright, sharing early ideas and drafts of the bill with our 
Republican staff. It has been a close and productive partnership, and I 
want to especially praise the work and hard work of my good, personal 
friend Dick Obermann. And I certainly want to thank our chairman, 
Chairman Bart Gordon.
  Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, first let me say very 
sincerely say that there is no Member of Congress that has had greater 
interest than Mr. Hall in NASA. As a Texan and a proud American, he has 
taken particular interest in the safety of the astronauts, as well as 
trying to reap the maximum amount of health benefits from the 
investment that we've made. He has played just an enormously 
constructive role, and I thank him for that.
  We also thank Mr. Udall, the chairman of the Space and Aeronautics 
Subcommittee, for working in a bipartisan way. He had a number of 
really thoughtful hearings. He's put together a bill that came out of 
his subcommittee unanimously, and because he did such a good job there, 
it was unanimous out of the full committee. So I thank my friend from 
Colorado.
  I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) 5 minutes.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Chairman, earlier this year, I introduced the NASA 
Authorization Act of 2008, a bill to reauthorize the programs of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the fiscal year 2009. 
Today, I rise to urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
pass this bill and send it on to the Senate.
  The bill passed the Committee on Science and Technology and the 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics with unanimous support, as our 
chairman pointed out. It represents a strong, bipartisan effort to 
ensure our continued leadership in space and aeronautics and to ensure 
that NASA's programs contribute to our science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics education efforts, to our Nation's 
Innovation Agenda, and to practical benefits for our citizens.
  I, too, want to thank Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart 
Gordon, Ranking Member Ralph Hall, and my fellow ranking member on the 
Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, Tom Feeney from Florida, for being 
original cosponsors, as well as providing thoughtful input into this 
bill.
  I would also like to thank the excellent staff on both the majority 
and minority side for their outstanding work on this bill. On my staff, 
my dedicated and tireless staff member, Wendy Adams, Richard Obermann, 
Pam Whitney, Allen Li, and Devin Bryant, as well as John Piazza have 
all been instrumental in moving this bill forward.
  I want to particularly point out the great contribution--I think the 
chairman would agree with me--of Dick Obermann. We benefit in the 
committee, the Nation benefits and this House of Representatives 
benefits from Dick's insights, his knowledge, and the relationships 
he's built. Anyone in the NASA orbit knows Dick Obermann's many, many 
contributions. So I want to particularly point out his great 
contributions to the committee and to NASA.
  On the minority side, I want to thank Ed Feddeman, Ken Monroe, and 
Lee Arnold as well. They have been very helpful in the work on this 
piece of legislation.
  Madam Chairman, the bill sets fiscally responsible policies and 
provisions for a balanced set of science, aeronautics, and human 
spaceflight programs.
  The baseline funding level authorized for NASA in fiscal year 2009, 
$19.21 billion, represents simply an inflation increase of about 2.8 
percent over the NASA Authorization Act of 2005, legislation that the 
President signed into law.
  I don't want to go into great detail about the many provisions of the 
bill but will include my longer statement for the Record.
  Madam Chairman, 2008 represents the 50th anniversary of the birth of 
the U.S. space program and the establishment of NASA. NASA has 
accomplished a great deal in both space and aeronautical R&D over these 
past five decades, and we can all take pride in what has been 
accomplished. However, we cannot become complacent.
  The testimony and constructive input of countless hearings, 
witnesses, and outside experts and organizations that led to H.R. 6063 
conveyed a consistent message: that NASA has not been given the funding 
it needs to successfully carry out all of the important tasks that the 
Nation has asked of it. If we fail to adequately invest in NASA now, it 
is unlikely that we will see a comparable record of accomplishment over 
the next five decades, at a great opportunity cost to the Nation.
  I am gratified by the support that H.R. 6063 has garnered to date, 
including the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of 
Manufacturers, the Aerospace Industries Association, the Association of 
American Universities, the University Corporation for Atmospheric 
Research, the International Federation of Professional and Technical 
Engineers, and the University Space Research Association.

[[Page 12340]]

  I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 6063 to ensure that our 
Nation remains the leader in space and aeronautics programs.
  Madam Chairman, on May 15, 2008 I introduced the ``NASA Authorization 
Act of 2008,'' H.R. 6063, a bill to reauthorize the programs of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration for Fiscal Year 2009.
  Today I rise to urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
pass this bill and send it on to the Senate.
  This bill passed the Committee on Science and Technology and the 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics with unanimous support.
  It represents a strong bipartisan effort to ensure our leadership in 
space and aeronautics and to ensure that NASA's programs contribute to 
our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education 
efforts, to the Nation's innovation agenda, and to practical benefits 
for our citizens.
  I would like to thank Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart 
Gordon, Ranking Minority Member Ralph Hall, and Space and Aeronautics 
Subcommittee Ranking Minority Member Tom Feeney for being original 
cosponsors of this bill.
  Madam Chairman, this bill sets fiscally-responsible policies and 
provisions for a balanced set of science, aeronautics, and human 
spaceflight programs.
  The baseline funding level authorized for NASA in FY 2009--$19.21 
billion-- represents simply an inflationary increase of about 2.8 
percent over the NASA Authorization Act of 2005, legislation that the 
President signed into law.
  H.R. 6063 also reflects the conviction that NASA is as much a 
contributor to the nation's innovation agenda as any of the other 
agencies included in the America COMPETES Act that was enacted into law 
last year.
  Thus, includes provisions and funding directed at supporting 
opportunities for hands-on training of the next generation of 
scientists and engineers.
  In addition to the baseline authorization, H.R. 6063 contains a 
directed funding augmentation intended to help accelerate the date when 
the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares Crew Launch Vehicle can 
attain operational status.
  A series of policy failures over a number of years have brought us to 
the point where we will have an unavoidable gap in the United States' 
ability to get its astronauts into space independently.
  Providing the additional funding in FY 2009 can help narrow the gap 
while also putting in place the space transportation system that will 
help us carry out exciting and important exploration missions beyond 
low Earth orbit in the decades to come.
  Madam Chairman, NASA's programs are strongly relevant to addressing 
the nation's needs.
  In short, a properly balanced and focused NASA portfolio can pay 
large dividends to our society as well as to our standing in the world, 
and maximizing the value of the NASA portfolio to the nation is one of 
the main goals of the NASA Authorization Act of 2008.
  To that end, H.R. 6063 establishes a role for NASA in leading a 
cooperative international effort on Earth observations research and 
applications, especially with respect to climate change-one of the 
major challenges facing our generation.
  In addition, the bill includes a series of provisions to ensure that 
NASA's aeronautics program gets the resources it needs to remain one of 
the most relevant activities of the agency--one that impacts our 
quality of life, public safety, the vitality of the economy, and our 
national security.
  H.R. 6063 also includes provisions to ensure that the International 
Space Station--a unique orbiting R&D facility that represents a 
significant investment of resources by both American citizens and those 
of a host of other nations--will be utilized in as productive a manner 
as possible.
  The ISS is also a compelling example of the value of undertaking a 
cooperative approach to space exploration. To that end, H.R. 6063 makes 
clear that any human exploration initiative to return to the Moon and 
venture to other destinations in the solar system should be undertaken 
as a cooperative international undertaking under strong U.S. 
leadership.
  Madam Chairman, 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of the 
U.S. space program and the establishment of NASA.
  NASA has accomplished a great deal in both space and aeronautical R&D 
over those past five decades, and we can all take pride in what has 
been accomplished. However, we cannot become complacent.
  The testimony and constructive input of countless hearing witnesses, 
outside experts, and organizations that led to H.R. 6063 conveyed a 
consistent message: that NASA has not been given the funding it needs 
to successfully carry out all of the important tasks that the nation 
has asked of it.
  If we fail to invest adequately in NASA now, it is unlikely that we 
will see a comparable record of accomplishment over the next five 
decades--at a great opportunity cost to the nation.
  I am gratified by the support that H.R. 6063 has garnered to date, 
including the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of 
Manufacturers, the Aerospace Industries Association, the American 
Astronautical Society the American Institute of Aeronautics and 
Astronautics, the American Meteorological Society, the American Society 
of Mechanical Engineers, the Association of American Universities, the 
General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Information Technology 
Association of America, the International Federation of Professional 
and Technical Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic 
Engineers-USA, the National Business Aviation Association, the National 
Space Society, the Personal Spaceflight Federation, the Planetary 
Society, the Universities Space Research Association, and the 
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.
  I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives support H.R. 
6063 to ensure that our Nation remains the leader in space and 
aeronautics programs.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield to Mr. Feeney, the 
gentleman from Florida, 3 minutes.
  Mr. FEENEY. I want to thank Ranking Member Hall and Chairman Gordon 
and, as they pointed out, all of the staff on both sides that made 
possible a bipartisan bill that got unanimous support in the committee.
  I also want to suggest that terrific staff work on both sides and 
transparency and openness in the process is sort of a model that this 
Congress ought to try to emulate more often, and I want to thank, 
again, Chairman Gordon and Chairman Udall for doing that.
  By the way, this is likely to be, since he's not running for 
reelection, Chairman Udall's last reauthorization as a House Member. He 
has been a champion on space issues. He's been a great friend and a 
delight to work with, and I know that he will continue to be a champion 
for space and aeronautics. And so I really appreciated the chance to 
work with you.
  And following me I think at some point will be Congressman Weldon, my 
neighbor to the south. We share the different assets of Kennedy Space 
Center, Patrick Air Force Base, and Congressman Weldon will not be 
running for office again anytime soon, at least not the House. We 
appreciate Dave Weldon's leadership. He's been a terrific advocate for 
space in general and Kennedy Space Center and human spaceflight in 
specific.
  So it's been terrific to work with two great leaders that will not be 
working with us in all likelihood next year.
  NASA was created in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 
in 1957. The space age had begun. Fifty years have now passed. America 
is still the world's preeminent spacefaring Nation. NASA helped lead us 
to that status.
  Today, we build on that foundation. We have laid out a comprehensive 
blueprint for sustaining a healthy and vigorous NASA during the next 
administration, and as Chairman Gordon pointed out, we don't know who 
the next President will be. We don't know who their next NASA 
administrator will be, but the starting point for the next 
administration's space program has been designed right here in the 
House of Representatives, thanks to the leadership of the people that 
you are hearing from.
  Considerable care has been devoted to all elements of NASA's 
portfolio, human spaceflight, earth and space sciences, and 
aeronautics. I look forward to continued success and excellence in all 
of these endeavors. Each success sustains America's technical prowess 
and brings enormous prestige to the American people.
  Because I represent the Kennedy Space Center, I want to particularly 
note this bill's unambiguous endorsement of America's human spaceflight 
program. By the way, all of our human spaceflight program has an 
international component to it.
  Five years ago, America was stunned by the loss of the Shuttle 
Columbia.

[[Page 12341]]

We had to re-examine our objectives for human spaceflight and 
articulate a more sustainable vision for our future spacefaring. We 
have done so, and this bill continues that progress by providing much-
needed stability, on a bipartisan basis, in our strategy and 
architecture for human spaceflight.
  The shuttle has resumed flight. We are having a successful mission as 
we speak today. We will complete the International Space Station and 
then strive to utilize its enormous potential. And we will also set 
forth to explore beyond lower orbit, starting with the moon and then 
beyond, for the future of humankind.
  These are ambitious goals, but Americans are a strong, optimistic 
people willing to take up and meet any challenge. And as this bill 
highlights, America invites others throughout the world to join us in 
this journey. It is done on behalf of all mankind.
  NASA's human space exploration and satellite programs publicly 
demonstrate America's spacefaring prowess. Other Nations are striving 
to achieve what America has already accomplished.
  In prior generations, mastery of the sea and air brought global power 
and prestige. Today, such power and respect accrues to those mastering 
space. This bill sustains America's prowess in space, and I urge its 
passage.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I recognize the gentlelady 
from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) for 3 minutes.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chairman, I rise to support the NASA 
authorization act and to thank Chairman Gordon and Representative Udall 
for their leadership and exceptional work on this bill.
  On May 31, I experienced the thrill of attending the most recent 
shuttle launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida. As I witnessed the intense 
brightness of the rockets' afterburners and felt the rumble of the 
Earth as the shuttle lifted off, I could feel the pride and strength of 
American innovation and technological leadership.
  I have to tell you that I was surprised at how emotional I felt 
watching the shuttle hurtle towards the sky, and my heart really burst 
with pride in the American spirit and our ability to move forward 
generation after generation. The continuity of the space program is 
critical to maintaining this leadership.
  The space shuttle is scheduled to retire in just 2 years, yet a lack 
of funding has delayed its replacement until at least 2015. Without 
adequate funding, not only would we lose jobs, but we would be forced 
to rely on Russia to access the International Space Station.
  The economic return on our investment in the space program is far 
greater than many realize. In fact, NASA's budget accounts for less 
than six-tenths of 1 percent of the Federal budget, and yet the 
benefits of space exploration are vital to our daily lives.
  Our TVs, cell phones and computers, as well as the military and 
weather forecasters all rely on satellite technology developed through 
space exploration.
  Last year, Speaker Pelosi announced ``The Speaker's Innovation 
Agenda,'' an action plan to keep America as the leader in global 
science and technology. This agenda includes educating a new generation 
of innovators and committing to research and development.
  By supporting NASA today, we are committing to innovate, to create 
new opportunities and markets, to drive discovery, and to push the 
boundaries and limitations that are before us.
  It is vital that we instill this curiosity and drive in the next 
generation. I know it was instilled in the next generation that I'm 
raising because my son announced to me after he saw the shuttle launch, 
he said, ``Mom, I want to be an astronaut.''
  And for me, as the National Chair of the Women's High Tech Coalition 
and co-chair of the Young Women's Task Force, I want to express 
particular support for the Hodes amendment, which establishes a 
scholarship program in honor of Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who died 
in the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster.
  The scholarships will go to women pursuing degrees in mathematics, 
science, and engineering, and would further support women seeking 
careers in fields related to NASA's mission. We really need to expand 
the young women's and young girls' interest in the science and 
mathematical fields.
  As leaders and legislators, we must work to harness the talent, 
intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit of Americans.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill to ensure that NASA has the 
resources to continue to promote American competitiveness.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to Dr. Weldon, 
the gentleman from Florida.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise 
in support of the underlying bill. And I commend the gentlelady from 
Florida for her inspiring words.
  This bill is on the right track by extending shuttle operations, 
giving NASA the option to extend shuttle operations beyond 2010. Taking 
away the artificial 2010 deadline and allowing NASA to finish all the 
flights currently on the manifest will give NASA more flexibility and 
provide needed transportation to the International Space Station and 
help lessen the severity of the gap.
  However, I want to underscore that this bill does not fix the problem 
established by this administration. And my hope is that the next 
administration and the next Congress will fix this problem of putting 
NASA and the United States in a situation where we will be dependent on 
the Russians to put our astronauts into space for possibly longer than 
5 years.
  The Government Accountability Office recently testified before a 
congressional committee indicating that there are a number of 
technological challenges facing the Constellation program, the program 
to replace the shuttle, and that delays in the program could occur and 
could lengthen this gap beyond the 4\1/2\ to 5 years that it currently 
is.
  History has shown time and time again that complex technological 
problems often lead to delays, and that attempts at closing gaps can 
often be frustrated. Therefore, it is my opinion that the only way to 
assure that we do not get a lengthening of the gap, and the only way to 
make sure that we eliminate this gap is to extend shuttle operations.
  Now, I was very disappointed in the Statement of Administration 
Policy on this bill that whoever was responsible for drafting this 
thing, they chose to dig up the canard that it is unsafe to extend 
shuttle operations beyond 2010. The truth is that the last shuttle that 
flies in 2010 will be the same shuttle that flies in 2011 if we extend 
shuttle operations. And if we are to argue that it is unsafe to fly the 
shuttle beyond 2010, you could just as easily argue that it's unsafe to 
fly it today. The truth is, after the improvements that have been made 
after the Columbia and the Challenger disasters, the shuttle that flies 
today is the safest shuttle that we have ever flown. And yes, going 
into outer space has its risks, but we choose to do so because we are a 
Nation of explorers, and we feel that the risks are justified for the 
benefits of space exploration.
  I just also want to point out that relying on the Soyuz vehicle--
supposedly because it's safer, as the administration is implying in 
their statement--is not exactly correct. We just recently saw a 
situation where the returning Soyuz vehicle was thrown off course into 
a dangerous ballistic reentry, exposing the astronauts on board, 
including a female astronaut, Peggy Whitson, to very dangerous G 
forces.
  The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired
  Mr. HALL of Texas. I yield the gentleman an additional minute.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. This bill is a step in the right direction. It 
gives NASA the ability to extend shuttle operations. And I want to just 
point out, there is a very important scientific mission, the Alpha 
Magnetic Spectrometer mission. We spent $1.5 billion building that 
piece of machinery, and NASA's current plan is to leave it on

[[Page 12342]]

the ground. This bill correctly calls for launching that mission, and 
it is the right thing to do. To spend all that money to build that 
thing and then to never launch it is just wrong.
  However, I do want to underscore that the future Congress and the 
next administration is going to have to wrestle with the issue of 
getting the funding in the appropriation process. But I just want to 
say that, based on current economic growth, over the next 5 to 7 years 
1 trillion additional dollars is going to come into this U.S. Treasury.
  This is a matter of priorities. The American people support our space 
program. It's the right thing to do to keep the shuttle flying beyond 
2010.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to another 
friend and champion of the space program from Texas (Mr. Lampson).
  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Chairman, I am honored to join my colleagues from 
the Science Committee to support H.R. 6063. I particularly want to 
commend Chairman Gordon and Chairman Udall, and Ranking Members Hall 
and Feeney, the committee staff, for all of their hard work and their 
effort to make this an inclusive process. This legislation enjoys broad 
support, and I believe that it provides the stability and direction 
necessary to sustain NASA through this transition period.
  I am proud that we will be able to provide a much needed 11 percent 
increase in the funding over FY08 that will help NASA get back on 
track. This inflationary increase will allow NASA to operate the 
shuttle program, accelerate the development of Constellation, and 
refocus its efforts on science and research without having to rob Peter 
to pay Paul.
  I'm also pleased that this legislation directs NASA to fly the 
``contingency flights'' and to take all necessary steps to deliver the 
Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer that we just heard about from our 
colleague, Mr. Weldon to the International Space Station. This will 
ensure the space station's viability and use for its intended purpose 
as a national lab well into the next decade.
  In addition to being one of the most valuable foreign policy tools 
that we have, there is no doubt in my mind that research conducted on 
the space station will yield great discoveries that will benefit all 
Americans and all of mankind.
  I would especially like to thank the chairmen and ranking members for 
adopting language on issues that I have particularly championed and 
believe will also help secure NASA's future. This includes the Small 
Business Alliance Outreach and Technology Assistance Program (SATOP).
  Building on the partnership between NASA centers, institutions of 
higher learning, and industry partners, this initiative will further 
the agency's mission of technology transfer in a unique way by 
providing free technical assistance to small businesses who cannot 
afford to have an engineer or a rocket scientist on their staff. 
Solving technical problems will mean these businesses will help grow 
our economy and create and retain jobs.
  I have also worked to make sure that, as we face the space flight gap 
and the loss of a highly skilled workforce, that we are cognizant of 
the fact that we risk losing the imagination of the next generation of 
scientists and engineers and diminishing their desire to serve our 
Nation's space program.
  Well, the fact that we are already falling behind when it comes to 
awarding advanced degrees in math, science and engineering means that 
we must focus on K-12 education now more than ever so that we don't 
lose our technological edge.
  This bill provides an 11 percent increase over FY08 funding, 
including NASA's educational programs. I believe that some of this 
increase should go toward continuing the EarthKAM program and expanding 
NASA's participation in robotics competition. Bringing NASA directly 
into classrooms across the country and encouraging hands-on learning is 
a great way to spark a hopefully life-long interest in math and 
science.
  So as we continue with this transition from shuttle to Constellation 
and a new administration in about 6 months, we must be mindful of 
providing stability and support for our Nation's space program at this 
critical juncture. I believe this bill provides both, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the 
chairman of the Technology Innovation Subcommittee, Mr. Wu of Oregon.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I rise as a cosponsor in support of H.R. 
6063.
  When NASA was born in response to the launch of Sputnik, many 
Americans were scared of what it meant for Russia to have space 
capabilities. Congress' passage of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Act of 1958 created NASA and marked the beginning of the space race 
between America and Russia.
  Just 11 years after NASA was created, and only 9 years after 
President Kennedy threw a cap over the wall, the United States landed 
the first humans on the Moon. Since then, NASA has had its share of its 
successes and challenges, but in the end NASA is an example of what can 
be accomplished when the President and Congress share a vision, a 
common vision, and when funds are devoted toward that vision.
  As Speaker Pelosi says, ``a budget is the tangible embodiment of our 
values, of what is important to us and what is not.'' We are 
considering this bill 50 years after the creation of NASA. We are at a 
singular point in time, the space shuttle will retire soon. And while 
we develop the next generation crew exploration vehicle, we will, for 
the first time, rely on other countries to take Americans to space. In 
the meantime, more and more countries are developing space 
capabilities. To keep us in the game, this bill provides an extra $1 
billion to accelerate the development of the next crew exploration 
vehicle and shorten the American space flight gap.
  Space has become more competitive. Where we only competed with 
Russia, we will soon compete with several countries to maintain our 
leadership in space. This bill includes a provision to ensure that the 
United States leads an international cooperation initiative with these 
countries promoting the peaceful exploration of space.
  Today, NASA is funded at a much lower percentage of our GDP than when 
it was first created. At a time when other countries are aggressively 
investing in their space capabilities, Congress needs to send the 
message that it continues to support NASA and its mission by providing 
the appropriate and necessary funds. This bill does just that. And I 
want to commend Mr. Udall, Chairman Gordon, and Ranking Member Hall for 
a very strong bill, and I urge its passage.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. First and foremost, I would like to congratulate my 
colleagues for the hard work that's been put into this legislation, 
Mark Udall and Bart Gordon, of course, on the majority side, and also, 
of course, Tom Feeney and Ralph Hall on the minority side of this. This 
is a bipartisan effort. It always has been.
  Ralph Hall will be submitting my amendment for me, which will be the 
second amendment up today. Let me just note that my amendment simply 
suggests that NASA should put on its priority list seeking cooperation 
between the United States and our European and Russian friends to try 
to have an international effort to detect and deflect near-Earth 
objects. What that means is, if there are asteroids or comets that 
might be out there and might threaten the Earth, perhaps threatening 
millions of lives, that my amendment simply says the United States 
should not bear the entire burden and cost of identifying them and 
tracing their trajectory to see if they threaten the Earth, but we 
should be trying to recruit our friends and make it an international 
effort.
  I just recently came back from Berlin and Moscow, where this idea 
received a very, very warm response from these other spacefaring 
nations, and they're really anxious to work with us. This instructs 
NASA to take advantage of

[[Page 12343]]

that spirit of cooperation, take the burden off the American taxpayers 
a little bit, and make sure this job gets done.
  I appreciate that Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall have both 
supported this legislation. And Ralph will be submitting it for me in a 
few minutes.
  Thank you very much, Bart. Thank you very much, Ralph. And I want to 
thank all of you and the staff for doing such a great job in this 
committee.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentlelady from Texas, a great supporter of NASA, Ms. Jackson-Lee.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Let me thank the distinguished chairman of 
the committee. It's really good to be with him, in spite of holding us 
over. We are still here fighting the good fight.
  Chairman Gordon, thank you for your leadership and the work that 
you've done, of course, with the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. 
Udall, and my very dear colleague, who has been an advocate, 
Congressman Nick Lampson, who has worked closely on this issue, to the 
ranking member, Mr. Hall, and of course the ranking members on the 
respective committees. I rise today to enthusiastically support this 
legislation dealing with NASA's authorization.
  I was reflecting on the history of authorization, and the committee 
should be commended. This is not a very easy task to get an 
authorization bill out, and we have done so. And I'm very proud that 
this Congress, this Democratic Congress has done so.
  Today's legislation will allow NASA to continue to push the 
boundaries of what is possible, keeping our Nation on the forefront of 
innovation and exploration. After the Columbia disaster, NASA stands at 
a pivotal moment in its history. It is the responsibility of this 
Congress to ensure that the future of NASA is one of continued 
progress. Our children depend on us to do this.
  Space exploration remains part of our national destiny. Knowing the 
cutting edge of technology, the research on HIV/AIDS, on stroke, on 
heart disease, on cancer, all of this has occurred through NASA 
exploration and the International Space Station. It inspires our 
children to look at the stars and dream of what they, too, one day may 
achieve.
  Space exploration allows us to push the bounds of our scientific 
knowledge as we carry out research projects not possible within the 
constraints of the planet Earth. Just an anecdote, when I have an 
annual Christmas party of 3,000 children, the astronauts that come are 
more popular than Santa Claus. That should be the test for continuing 
this wonderful effort to ensure that America always stands at the 
forefront of innovativeness.

                              {time}  1600

  As a Nation, we have made tremendous strides forward in the pursuit 
of space exploration since President John F. Kennedy set the course for 
our Nation in 1962 calling it the ``greatest adventure on which man has 
ever embarked.'' Despite the setbacks of recent years, including the 
tragedy that befell the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger, NASA 
and the American people have refused to abandon the pursuit of 
knowledge of our universe. On October 1, 1958, NASA began its 
operation. It consisted of only about 8,000 employees and an annual 
budget of $100 million, but it is now in its 50th year, and we are 
going further.
  President Kennedy in 1961 said, ``I believe this Nation should commit 
itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a 
man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.''
  Believe it not, we have now had men going into space, and we have 
just recently had the fiftieth woman going into space. This is an 
important challenge. And this legislation today provides us with an 
opportunity to save the 18,000 employees and to begin to look to a 
funding system that will continue our journey.
  H.R. 6063 is addressing serious concerns. Between 2010, when the 
space shuttle will be phased out, and 2015 when the next generation 
human space flight is likely to become operational, the United States 
will have no method of transportation to the space station that we have 
already invested in.
  The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield the gentlewoman 1 additional minute.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. With this legislation, we are going to 
deliver important hardware, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, through an 
additional extension. The bill also authorizes $1 billion in augmented 
funding to accelerate the development of the Orion Crew Exploration 
Vehicle, the successor to the space shuttle, in hopes of narrowing the 
gap.
  We are also allowing one more shuttle trip for the space shuttle. 
This is helpful to Johnson. We don't want to lose jobs. We want to 
support this effort. And we may want to reconsider, as we go forward, 
the retiring of the space shuttle.
  Let me thank the committee for supporting, as well, my small business 
amendment that addresses the question of giving training, technological 
training, to veterans-owned businesses, to HUB businesses, to women-
owned businesses and minority-owned businesses so they can be part of 
the cutting edge of science.
  I conclude simply by saying that President Kennedy set the mark. I am 
glad this committee and this Congress is carrying the torch. We must 
continue space exploration. It is our duty. It is our challenge. It is 
our obligation as patriots. And it is for the future of our children. 
On with the space. This legislation gets us there.
  Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6063, the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2008. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the 
United States space program, this legislation reaffirms the ever 
growing and changing role of NASA, providing resources to carry the 
agency forward with its ambitious agenda of research, exploration, and 
discovery. I would like to thank Congressman Udall for introducing this 
important legislation, as well as Science Committee Chairman Gordon for 
his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Gordon for his support of an 
amendment that I am offering. My amendment modifies section 1108 of the 
bill, and it states:

       (1) in subsection (a), strike ``small businesses'' and 
     insert ``small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses''; 
     and
       (2) In subsection (b)(2), insert ``, giving preference to 
     socially and economically disadvantaged small business 
     concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     service-disabled veterans, and HUB Zone small business 
     concerns'' after ``to small businesses.''

  My amendment clarifies that the NASA Outreach and Technology 
Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned, and women-owned 
businesses. It would also give preference, in selection of businesses 
to participate in the program, to socially and economically 
disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned 
and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business 
concerns. I would like to thank my colleague and fellow Texan, 
Congressman Lampson, for his leadership in authoring the important 
section describing the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program, 
and for supporting my amendment.
  Madam Chairman, today's legislation will allow NASA to continue to 
push the boundaries of what is possible, keeping our nation on the 
forefront of innovation and exploration. After the Columbia disaster, 
NASA stands at a pivotal moment in its history. It is the 
responsibility of this Congress to ensure that the future of NASA is 
one of continued progress. Space exploration remains a part of our 
national destiny. It inspires our children to look to the stars and 
dream of what they too, one day, may achieve. Space exploration allows 
us to push the bounds of our scientific knowledge, as we carry out 
research projects not possible within the constraints of the planet 
Earth. As a nation, we have made tremendous strides forward in the 
pursuit of space exploration since President John F. Kennedy set the 
course for our nation in 1962, calling it the ``greatest adventure on 
which man has ever embarked.'' Despite the setbacks of recent years, 
including the tragedy that befell the Space Shuttle Columbia, NASA and 
the American people have refused to abandon the pursuit of knowledge of 
our universe. On October 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration began operation. At the time it consisted of only about 
8,000 employees and an annual

[[Page 12344]]

budget of $100 million. Over the next 50 years, NASA and the Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory have been involved in many defining events 
occurred which have shaped the course of human history and demonstrated 
to the world the character of the people of the United States.
  Many of us remember how inspired we were when on May 25, 1961, 
President John F. Kennedy proclaimed: ``I believe this Nation should 
commitment itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of 
landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth. No single 
space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or 
more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will 
be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.'' The success of the United 
States space exploration program in the 20th Century augurs well for 
its continued leadership in the 21st Century. This success is largely 
attributable to the remarkable and indispensable partnership between 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its 10 space and 
research centers. One of these important research centers is located in 
my home city of Houston. The Johnson Space Center, which manages the 
development, testing, production, and delivery of all United States 
human spacecraft and all human spacecraft-related functions, is one of 
the crown jewels of the Houston area.
  Today, NASA is the nations' primary civil space and aeronautics 
research and development agency, and its current activities employ over 
18,000 Americans. Today's legislation reaffirms the fundamental 
operating principles of NASA, emphasizes the importance of NASA 
leadership in a range of endeavors such as Earth observations and 
research, aeronautics reach and development, and an exploration 
program. It authorizes $20.21 billion in NASA funding for FY 2009.
  Madam Chairman, in addition to this funding, H.R. 6063 begins to 
address what many of us believe is a serious problem that we will face 
in the coming years. Between 2010, when the space shuttle will be 
phased out, and 2015, when the next-generation human spaceflight 
vehicle is likely to become operational, the United States will have no 
method of transportation to the International Space Station, which we 
have already invested a great deal of American resources in. This 
legislation allows for an additional space shuttle flight to the 
International Space Station, to deliver important hardware (the Alpha 
Magnetic Spectrometer). The bill also authorizes $1 billion in 
augmented funding to accelerate the development of the Orion Crew 
Exploration Vehicle, the successor to the space shuttle, in hopes of 
narrowing the gap.
  Always on the forefront of technological innovation, NASA has been 
home to countless ``firsts'' in the field of space exploration. America 
has, countless times, proven itself to be a leader in innovation, and 
many technologies that have become part of our everyday lives were 
developed by NASA scientists. The benefits of NASA's programming and 
innovation are felt far beyond scientific and academic spheres. Space 
technologies provide practical, tangible benefits to society, and NASA 
provides valuable opportunities to businesses in our community. I 
strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation, 
and in support of the future of American innovation and exploration.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I have no further speakers.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. In conclusion, Madam Chairman, let me once 
again thank my partner and friend from Texas (Mr. Hall) for his help 
and leadership in putting this bill together. Ralph, this is the 36th 
bill that we have brought to this floor, all of which have been 
bipartisan. All but one has been unanimous. Thank you for your help.
  Mr. WILSON of Ohio. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 
6063, the NASA Authorization Act of 2008.
  Since the beginning of flight, my home State of Ohio has played a 
critical role in the aerospace industry. From Wilbur and Orville Wright 
and the invention of the airplane, to the first American-manned orbital 
mission by Senator John Glenn, to Neil Armstrong's famous walk on the 
Moon--Ohioans have been instrumental in maintaining the United States 
leadership in space.
  Fifty years after the creation of NASA, Ohio continues to play an 
important role in the aerospace industry. Ohio's NASA Glenn facility 
pioneered the use of liquid hydrogen as a rocket fuel--enabling 
astronauts to reach the Moon. And today, NASA Glenn is working to build 
cutting-edge vehicles that will one day send a new generation of 
explorers to the Moon and Mars.
  NASA's economic impact in Ohio is deep and far-reaching. Today, 
Ohio's aerospace industry includes 600 companies and employs more than 
66,000 Ohioans each year.
  It is clear that NASA provides significant benefits to the American 
people. That's why I am proud to support H.R. 6063. It is a fiscally 
responsible bill that works to ensure that NASA has the resources it 
needs to successfully conduct a balanced set of missions in human 
spaceflight, science, and aeronautics.
  This bill recognizes that NASA is an important contributor to the 
Nation's innovation agenda and builds on the provisions included in 
last year's ``America COMPETES Act.'' H.R. 6063 includes provisions 
that will provide our Nation's next generation of engineers and 
scientists with the hands-on training and education they need to 
advance our space program.
  Madam Chairman, on the 50th anniversary of the U.S. space program and 
the establishment of NASA, I urge my colleagues in joining with me in 
supporting this important bill.
  Mr. CALVERT, Madam Chairman, I commend Subcommittee Chairman Udall, 
Chairman Gordon and Ranking Members Hall and Feeney and their staff for 
their work on this bipartisan bill. It is most appropriate that we 
recommit our Federal support and investment to our Nation's civilian 
space and aeronautics agency during this 50 anniversary year.
  NASA has been the Nation's leading catalyst for innovation and 
technology based on 50 years of broad public support and strong 
bipartisan political leadership. The agency's work is linked to larger 
issues like national security, global warming, and American 
competitiveness. This valuable research is also the genesis of tens of 
thousands of high-tech jobs in America and millions of dollars into our 
economy.
  H.R. 6063 largely follows in the tradition of the NASA Authorization 
Act of 2005, the first authorization bill to endorse the Vision for 
Space Exploration which chartered the agency to move beyond low-Earth 
orbit.
  I enthusiastically support most measures in this reauthorization 
including: the reasonable increase in authorization levels which allows 
the agency to maintain a balanced and robust portfolio of exploration, 
science and aeronautics activities; the accelerated development of the 
Orion and Ares launch systems in order to minimize U.S. reliance on 
Russia for access to the International Space Station; and the full 
authorization of the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services 
program, as well as the funding to develop a commercial crew capability 
under this program.
  I am somewhat concerned about language that may inappropriately tie 
the administrator's hands by requiring three shuttle flights; two 
contingency and one for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, before the 
fleet's final retirement. I understand why the committee has included 
the language but I also encourage the Science Committee leadership to 
work with the NASA administrator to alleviate the outstanding concerns 
about NASA's ability to properly manage the shuttle fleet and the 
remaining flight manifest without the mandated flexibility; especially 
if under unexpected budget and safety constraints.
  Overall, I am happy to lend my strong support to this 
reauthorization. I believe it does a comprehensive job of providing 
NASA the rules and tools to succeed in this Second Space Age. There is 
not a NASA center in the 44th Congressional District of California, but 
I understand the criticality of the agency's success and its impact on 
our Nation's prosperity. I encourage all my colleagues to rediscover 
the many ways our constituents benefit from the agency's important 
work. We do not consider this legislation in a vacuum. Other nations 
are actively pursuing human spaceflight and exploration. China and 
India are out-producing us in engineering graduates each year many 
times over. NASA, with its excellent reputation in exploration, science 
and aeronautics is the one national agency which can focus and inspire 
America's youth to take up the challenging work of math and science 
careers.
  Again, I want to thank the Science Committee leadership and their 
hard-working staff for their efforts in putting together this bill. I 
understand it will be important to have a solid civilian space and 
aeronautics blueprint for the next Administration to follow. I 
encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 6063.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chairman, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration is a strong economic driver in the 
State of Texas and an important national resource.
  My colleagues and I on the House Committee on Science and Technology 
have worked on this legislation to reauthorize many of NASA's programs 
for 1 year. This action will provide a funding bridge until next year, 
and it will provide important funding for research and programs in the 
areas of science,

[[Page 12345]]

aeronautics, exploration, education, space operations, cross-agency 
support programs and other activities.
  NASA celebrates 50 years since its establishment. For 50 years, NASA 
research has enabled scientists to continue to do groundbreaking 
research in a zero-gravity environment, with untold benefits. For 
example, one of the many spinoff technologies from the Hubble telescope 
is the use of its Charge Coupled Device (CCD) chips for digital imaging 
breast biopsies.
  The resulting device images tissue more clearly and efficiently than 
other technologies. The CCD chips can detect the small differences 
between a malignant or benign tumor, without the need for a surgical 
biopsy. This saves the patient weeks of recovery time, and the cost for 
this procedure is hundreds of dollars vs. thousands for a surgical 
biopsy. With over 500,000 women needing biopsies a year, the economic 
benefits are tremendous, not to mention the reduction in pain, 
scarring, radiation exposure, time, and money associated with surgical 
biopsies. Of course, this is just one of so many examples of NASA 
research that benefits society with broader applications.
  H.R. 6063 authorizes $20.21 billion in funding for NASA in fiscal 
year 2009. I support this legislation and urge NASA to continue its 
education efforts. A well-educated technical workforce is essential to 
NASA's success, and it is imperative for the agency to continue to 
invest in education as well as its other activities.
  Again, I want to congratulate NASA for 50 years of stellar work.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 6063, 
which authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) for fiscal year 2009. As a member of the Science and Technology 
Committee, I am pleased that this bill has reached the floor with the 
full bipartisan support of the committee. H.R. 6063 reaffirms the basic 
principles that NASA is and should remain a multi-mission agency with a 
balanced portfolio of programs in science, aeronautics, and human space 
flight, including human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the dawn of 
the United States space program. H.R. 6063 honors this accomplishment 
with an affirmation of the administration's goals of transitioning to 
new space vehicles, sending astronauts to Mars and repairing the Hubble 
telescope. I believe this bill makes important investments in 
aeronautic research and development while continuing NASA's important 
work to carry us into the next half century of space exploration. Madam 
Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act (H.R. 6063).
  This bill authorizes $20.2 billion for NASA for the 2009 fiscal year 
which represents a 14 percent increase over the President's request of 
$17.6 billion. The President's vision of new manned space missions 
without requesting adequate funding for the agency has resulted in cuts 
to other NASA programs, including important earth sciences research. 
The bill we're considering today addresses the needs of NASA's entire 
mission and all four of its directorates which encompass space 
exploration, aeronautics, and other research and technology development 
programs.
  NASA's Ames Research Center is a key component of the vibrant 
research and innovation community in my Congressional District. With 
special expertise in supercomputing, networking and intelligent 
systems, Ames develops technologies critical to NASA's missions. Ames 
and the other NASA research facilities around the country rely on the 
funding within the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). The House of 
Representatives has consistently exceeded the President's budget 
request and I'm pleased to see this pattern continue today. We have 
exceeded the Administration's request for all four of the divisions 
within SMD to ensure that NASA scientists at Ames and across the 
country have the resources they need.
  While this is a good bill, I hope future reauthorizations will 
revisit the restrictions imposed on NASA's ability to engage in 
Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) agreements. Just last week Ames Research 
Center announced it had signed an EUL with Google in a strategic 
partnership to develop new ideas, technologies, and applications. I 
hope we can expand this program in the future to provide further 
opportunities for NASA to develop these fruitful relationships which 
leverage private sector expertise to use our tax dollars effectively 
and efficiently.
  NASA is a critical component of our nation's research and development 
infrastructure and I thank the Committee on Science and Technology for 
their hard work on this bill. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to join me in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of the 
NASA Authorization Act of 2008. It authorizes $20.2 billion for NASA in 
FY 09, including $1 billion to speed development of the Crew 
Exploration Vehicle and Crew Launch Vehicle.
  This bill authorizes increased funding for vital aeronautics research 
after several years of cuts. In fact, it authorizes $853 million for 
aeronautics research, a $341 million dollar increase over FY 07 levels.
  This includes continued funding for the next-generation air 
transportation system initiative--a collaborative federal effort to 
design a new air traffic control system that can accommodate increased 
air traffic, which is expected to double or even triple by 2025. This 
important work being conducted by engineers and scientists at NASA 
Langley will lay the groundwork for a more efficient, safer, and 
environmentally-friendly air traffic system that will reduce delays and 
allow our Nation to move more people and goods around the United States 
and around the world.
  Madam Chairman, we know that investing in aeronautics research pays 
off. The aviation industry is the number one positive contributor to 
the U.S. balance of trade, with a net contribution to this balance of 
more than $60 billion in 2007. This is directly attributable to our 
past investment in aeronautics research. EVERY aircraft, worldwide, 
uses NASA technology. And NASA Langley Research Center located in 
Hampton, Virginia has been at the forefront of developing many of these 
cutting edge technologies.
  Engineering principles developed from past research at Langley have 
contributed to overall aircraft safety and efficiency through advances 
in wing design, noise abatement, structural integrity, and fuel 
efficiency. And it is important to remember that these principles were 
developed 5, 10, 20, or even 30 years before they led to improvements 
in the commercial aircraft we see today. Though we may not see the 
benefits of today's investments in research for several decades, if we 
fail to make these investments today, we will regret that decision 20 
or 30 years from now. Our Nation's leadership position in aeronautics 
is made more secure by the commitments we make today.
  Madam Chairman, this bill recognizes that aeronautics has been an 
essential part of NASA's mission since the Agency's founding 50 years 
ago. NASA's aeronautics research and development efforts, including the 
work done by the workers at Langley Research Center in Virginia, have 
made the United States the world leader in the aeronautics industry.
  I commend Chairman Gordon and the Members of the Science and 
Technology Committee for their hard work on this bill and for bringing 
it to the full House, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Chairman, I am proud to support H.R. 
6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 
Authorization Act of 2008. As NASA celebrates its 50th anniversary this 
year, I would like to express my strong support for a program that has 
contributed so much to our Nation's educational, scientific, and 
economic interests.
  H.R. 6063 authorizes $20.21 billion in funding for NASA in FY 2009, 
including $1 billion in augmented funding to reduce the five year gap 
between the retirement of the current space shuttle in 2010 and the 
launch of the new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares I Crew Launch 
Vehicle in 2015. During this time, the U.S. will lose all human 
spaceflight capability and will be forced to rely on foreign nations to 
carry our astronauts to the International Space Station. These 
outsourced space flights are estimated to cost around $700 million to 
$1 billion. The gap is also expected to have adverse effects on our 
national economy. NASA estimates that as many as 2,300 people could 
lose their jobs at Johnson Space Center in Houston as the shuttle fleet 
is retired. The funds that are included in this bill will help to 
accelerate the development of our next generation human spaceflight 
systems and minimize the undesirable consequences of this transitional 
period.
  H.R. 6063 also includes funding for a wide range of different NASA 
initiatives such as space weather research and robotics development. 
The bill allows NASA to maintain a diverse portfolio of projects in 
science, aeronautics, and space exploration. By creating more quality 
jobs in this technical sector, we will be able to encourage future 
generations of students to pursue studies in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related fields. Creating this 
skilled workforce is

[[Page 12346]]

an important step towards protecting our economic strength, our global 
competitiveness, and our national security.
  Since its inception in 1958, NASA has been responsible for countless 
innovations and scientific breakthroughs. For decades, it has 
symbolized our Nation's position as the global leader in space 
exploration and research. I am proud to support H.R. 6063 so that NASA 
will be able to build upon its own prestigious legacy as we move 
forward into this new millennium.
  Mr. MARKEY. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of the Hodes 
amendment to H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act of 2008, establishing a scholarship 
program in honor of Christa McAuliffe, the teacher-turned-astronaut 
whose journey captivated a nation and sparked a renewed interest in 
space exploration. Chosen out of 11,000 educators to participate in the 
Teacher in Space program, Christa represented the hopes and dreams of 
every teacher and every student around the country. Despite the tragic 
Challenger explosion that claimed her life along with the lives of her 
fellow astronauts, Christa's courage, creativity and curiosity embodied 
the best values of our educational system and remain an inspiration to 
students around the world. Christa grew up in my congressional district 
in Framingham, Massachusetts and later attended Framingham State 
College, where the Christa McAuliffe Center promotes science education 
and teacher training. While Christa's inspirational life was tragically 
cut short, along with her fellow passengers on the Space Shuttle 
Challenger, her legacy lives on inspiring the next generation of space 
explorers. This scholarship will be established to promote women in 
space sciences, a fitting goal considering Christa's life work. While 
women have made significant gains in the last few years, they continue 
to be underrepresented in space sciences and aeronautics. There is no 
better way to honor a true pioneer that inspired millions while 
promoting education and space exploration than a scholarship to advance 
that very cause.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Hodes amendment and I thank my 
colleague from New Hampshire for this fitting tribute to a true 
American hero.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of 
the amendment to H.R. 6063 submitted by my good friend from Texas, 
Congressman Nick Lampson.
  The Lampson amendment will enable NASA to meet its energy needs by 
clarifying language set forth in Section 526 of the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007.
  Section 526 prohibits Federal agencies from purchasing alternative or 
synthetic fuels for mobility-related use other than for research or 
testing, unless the purchase contract specifies that the lifecycle 
greenhouse gas emissions are less than that of conventional petroleum-
based fuels.
  The Lampson amendment will enable NASA to continue to contract for 
generally available fuels as long as the fuel is not predominately made 
from non-conventional sources. Without the certainty of this amendment, 
NASA may not have been able to procure fuels that may have been mixed 
with Canadian oil sands, no matter how small the mixture.
  North American oil sands are vital to United States oil supplies. Oil 
sands represent approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. oil supply 
and are mixed in with fuel derived from other sources.
  With the price of energy skyrocketing, our nation needs to diversify 
our fuel supplies, not restrict them. America should also encourage 
increased supplies of North American energy and decrease our dependence 
on oil from hostile countries.
  I applaud Congressman Lampson's amendment and urge my colleagues from 
both sides of the aisle to support it. Thank you.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the 
purpose of amendment under the 5-minute rule and shall be considered 
read.
  The text of the committee amendment is as follows:

                               H.R. 6063

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
     2008''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.

     TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

Sec. 101. Fiscal year 2009.

                        TITLE II--EARTH SCIENCE

Sec. 201. Goal.
Sec. 202. Governance of United States Earth observations activities.
Sec. 203. Decadal survey missions.
Sec. 204. Transitioning experimental research into operational 
              services.
Sec. 205. Landsat thermal infrared data continuity.
Sec. 206. Reauthorization of Glory Mission.
Sec. 207. Plan for disposition of Deep Space Climate Observatory.

                         TITLE III--AERONAUTICS

Sec. 301. Environmentally friendly aircraft research and development 
              initiative.
Sec. 302. Research alignment.
Sec. 303. Research program to determine perceived impact of sonic 
              booms.
Sec. 304. External review of NASA's aviation safety-related research 
              programs.
Sec. 305. Interagency research initiative on the impact of aviation on 
              the climate.
Sec. 306. Research program on design for certification.
Sec. 307. Aviation weather research.
Sec. 308. Joint Aeronautics Research and Development Advisory 
              Committee.
Sec. 309. Funding for research and development activities in support of 
              other mission directorates.
Sec. 310. University-based centers for research on aviation training.

             TITLE IV--INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION INITIATIVE

Sec. 401. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 402. Stepping stone approach to exploration.
Sec. 403. Lunar outpost.
Sec. 404. Exploration technology development.
Sec. 405. Exploration risk mitigation plan.
Sec. 406. Exploration crew rescue.
Sec. 407. Participatory exploration.
Sec. 408. Science and exploration.

                         TITLE V--SPACE SCIENCE

Sec. 501. Technology development.
Sec. 502. Provision for future servicing of observatory-class 
              scientific spacecraft.
Sec. 503. Mars exploration.
Sec. 504. Importance of a balanced science program.
Sec. 505. Restoration of radioisotope thermoelectric generator material 
              production.
Sec. 506. Assessment of impediments to interagency cooperation on space 
              and Earth science missions.
Sec. 507. Assessment of cost growth.
Sec. 508. Outer planets exploration.

                       TITLE VI--SPACE OPERATIONS

                Subtitle A--International Space Station

Sec. 601. Utilization.
Sec. 602. Research management plan.
Sec. 603. Contingency plan for cargo resupply.

                       Subtitle B--Space Shuttle

Sec. 611. Flight manifest.
Sec. 612. Disposition of shuttle-related assets.
Sec. 613. Space Shuttle transition liaison office.

                      Subtitle C--Launch Services

Sec. 621. Launch services strategy.

                          TITLE VII--EDUCATION

Sec. 701. Response to review.
Sec. 702. External review of Explorer Schools program.

                     TITLE VIII--NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS

Sec. 801. In general.
Sec. 802. Findings.
Sec. 803. Requests for information.
Sec. 804. Establishment of policy.
Sec. 805. Planetary radar capability.
Sec. 806. Arecibo Observatory.

                    TITLE IX--COMMERCIAL INITIATIVES

Sec. 901. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 902. Commercial crew initiative.

       TITLE X--REVITALIZATION OF NASA INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Sec. 1001. Review of information security controls.
Sec. 1002. Maintenance and upgrade of Center facilities.
Sec. 1003. Assessment of NASA laboratory capabilities.

                       TITLE XI--OTHER PROVISIONS

Sec. 1101. Space weather.
Sec. 1102. Space traffic management.
Sec. 1103. Study of export control policies related to civil and 
              commercial space activities.
Sec. 1104. Astronaut health care.
Sec. 1105. National Academies decadal surveys.
Sec. 1106. Innovation prizes.
Sec. 1107. Commercial space launch range study.
Sec. 1108. NASA outreach and technology assistance program.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds, on this, the 50th anniversary of the 
     establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, the following:
       (1) NASA is and should remain a multimission agency with a 
     balanced and robust set of core missions in science, 
     aeronautics, and human space flight and exploration.
       (2) Investment in NASA's programs will promote innovation 
     through research and development, and will improve the 
     competitiveness of the United States.

[[Page 12347]]

       (3) Investment in NASA's programs, like investments in 
     other Federal science and technology activities, is an 
     investment in our future.
       (4) Properly structured, NASA's activities can contribute 
     to an improved quality of life, economic vitality, United 
     States leadership in peaceful cooperation with other nations 
     on challenging undertakings in science and technology, 
     national security, and the advancement of knowledge.
       (5) NASA should assume a leadership role in a cooperative 
     international Earth observations and research effort to 
     address key research issues associated with climate change 
     and its impacts on the Earth system.
       (6) NASA should undertake a program of aeronautical 
     research, development, and where appropriate demonstration 
     activities with the overarching goals of--
       (A) ensuring that the Nation's future air transportation 
     system can handle up to 3 times the current travel demand and 
     incorporate new vehicle types with no degradation in safety 
     or adverse environmental impact on local communities;
       (B) protecting the environment;
       (C) promoting the security of the Nation; and
       (D) retaining the leadership of the United States in global 
     aviation.
       (7) Human and robotic exploration of the solar system will 
     be a significant long term undertaking of humanity in the 
     21st century and beyond, and it is in the national interest 
     that the United States should assume a leadership role in a 
     cooperative international exploration initiative.
       (8) Developing United States human space flight 
     capabilities to allow independent American access to the 
     International Space Station, and to explore beyond low Earth 
     orbit, is a strategically important national imperative, and 
     all prudent steps should thus be taken to bring the Orion 
     Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle to 
     full operational capability as soon as practicable.
       (9) NASA's scientific research activities have contributed 
     much to the advancement of knowledge, provided societal 
     benefits, and helped train the next generation of scientists 
     and engineers, and those activities should continue to be an 
     important priority.
       (10) NASA should make a sustained commitment to a robust 
     long-term technology development activity. Such investments 
     represent the critically important ``seed corn'' on which 
     NASA's ability to carry out challenging and productive 
     missions in the future will depend.
       (11) NASA, through its pursuit of challenging and relevant 
     activities, can provide an important stimulus to the next 
     generation to pursue careers in science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics.
       (12) Commercial activities have substantially contributed 
     to the strength of both the United States space program and 
     the national economy, and the development of a healthy and 
     robust United States commercial space sector should continue 
     to be encouraged.
       (13) It is in the national interest for the United States 
     to have an export control policy that protects the national 
     security while also enabling the United States aerospace 
     industry to compete effectively in the global market place 
     and the United States to undertake cooperative programs in 
     science and human space flight in an effective and efficient 
     manner.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of NASA.
       (2) NASA.--The term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration.
       (3) NOAA.--The term ``NOAA'' means the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration.
       (4) OSTP.--The term ``OSTP'' means the Office of Science 
     and Technology Policy.

     TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009

     SEC. 101. FISCAL YEAR 2009.

       (a) Baseline Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to NASA for fiscal year 2009 $19,210,000,000, as 
     follows:
       (1) For Science, $4,932,200,000, of which--
       (A) $1,518,000,000 shall be for Earth Science, including 
     $29,200,000 for suborbital activities and $2,500,000 for 
     carrying out section 313 of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 
     109-155);
       (B) $1,483,000,000 shall be for Planetary Science, 
     including $486,500,000 for the Mars Exploration program, 
     $2,000,000 to continue planetary radar operations at the 
     Arecibo Observatory in support of the Near-Earth Object 
     program, and $5,000,000 for radioisotope material production, 
     to remain available until expended;
       (C) $1,290,400,000 shall be for Astrophysics, including 
     $27,300,000 for suborbital activities;
       (D) $640,800,000 shall be for Heliophysics, including 
     $50,000,000 for suborbital activities; and
       (E) $75,000,000 shall be for Cross-Science Mission 
     Directorate Technology Development, to be taken on a 
     proportional basis from the funding subtotals under 
     subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D).
       (2) For Aeronautics, $853,400,000, of which $406,900,000 
     shall be for system-level research, development, and 
     demonstration activities related to--
       (A) aviation safety;
       (B) environmental impact mitigation, including noise, 
     energy efficiency, and emissions;
       (C) support of the Next Generation Air Transportation 
     System initiative; and
       (D) investigation of new vehicle concepts and flight 
     regimes.
       (3) For Exploration, $3,886,000,000, of which $100,000,000 
     shall be for the activities under sections 902(b) and 902(d); 
     and $737,800,000 shall be for Advanced Capabilities, 
     including $106,300,000 for the Lunar Precursor Robotic 
     Program, $276,500,000 for International Space Station-related 
     research and development activities, and $355,000,000 for 
     research and development activities not related to the 
     International Space Station.
       (4) For Education, $128,300,000.
       (5) For Space Operations, $6,074,700,000, of which--
       (A) $150,000,000 shall be for an additional Space Shuttle 
     flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the 
     International Space Station;
       (B) $100,000,000 shall be to augment funding for 
     International Space Station Cargo Services to enhance 
     research utilization of the International Space Station, to 
     remain available until expended; and
       (C) $50,000,000 shall be to augment funding for Space 
     Operations Mission Directorate reserves and Shuttle 
     Transition and Retirement activities.
       (6) For Cross-Agency Support Programs, $3,299,900,000.
       (7) For Inspector General, $35,500,000.
       (b)  Additional Authorization To Address Human Space Flight 
     Gap.--In addition to the sums authorized by subsection (a), 
     there are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes 
     described in subsection (a)(3) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 
     2009, to be used to accelerate the initial operational 
     capability of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Ares 
     I Crew Launch Vehicle and associated ground support systems, 
     to remain available until expended.

                        TITLE II--EARTH SCIENCE

     SEC. 201. GOAL.

       The goal for NASA's Earth Science program shall be to 
     pursue a program of Earth observations, research, and 
     applications activities to better understand the Earth, how 
     it supports life, and how human activities affect its ability 
     to do so in the future. In pursuit of this goal, NASA's Earth 
     Science program shall ensure that securing practical benefits 
     for society will be an important measure of its success in 
     addition to securing new knowledge about the Earth system and 
     climate change. In further pursuit of this goal, NASA shall 
     assume a leadership role in developing and carrying out a 
     cooperative international Earth observations-based research 
     and applications program.

     SEC. 202. GOVERNANCE OF UNITED STATES EARTH OBSERVATIONS 
                   ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Study.--The Director of the OSTP shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Academies for a study to 
     determine the most appropriate governance structure for 
     United States Earth Observations programs in order to meet 
     evolving United States Earth information needs and facilitate 
     United States participation in global Earth Observations 
     initiatives.
       (b) Report.--The Director shall transmit the study to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, and shall provide OSTP's 
     plan for implementing the study's recommendations not later 
     than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 203. DECADAL SURVEY MISSIONS.

       (a) In General.--The missions recommended in the National 
     Academies' decadal survey ``Earth Science and Applications 
     from Space'' provide the basis for a compelling and relevant 
     program of research and applications, and the Administrator 
     should work to establish an international cooperative effort 
     to pursue those missions.
       (b) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan for 
     submission to Congress not later than 270 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act that shall describe how NASA intends 
     to implement the missions recommended as described in 
     subsection (a), whether by means of dedicated NASA missions, 
     multi-agency missions, international cooperative missions, 
     data sharing, or commercial data buys, or by means of long-
     term technology development to determine whether specific 
     missions would be executable at a reasonable cost and within 
     a reasonable schedule.

     SEC. 204. TRANSITIONING EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH INTO 
                   OPERATIONAL SERVICES.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
     that experimental NASA sensors and missions that have the 
     potential to benefit society if transitioned into operational 
     monitoring systems be transitioned into operational status 
     whenever possible.
       (b) Interagency Process.--The Director of OSTP, in 
     consultation with the Administrator, the Administrator of 
     NOAA, and other relevant stakeholders, shall develop a 
     process to transition, when appropriate, NASA Earth science 
     and space weather missions or sensors into operational 
     status. The process shall include coordination of annual 
     agency budget requests as required to execute the 
     transitions.
       (c) Responsible Agency Official.--The Administrator and the 
     Administrator of NOAA shall each designate an agency official 
     who shall have the responsibility for and authority to lead 
     NASA's and NOAA's transition activities and interagency 
     coordination.
       (d) Plan.--For each mission or sensor that is determined to 
     be appropriate for transition under subsection (b), NASA and 
     NOAA shall transmit to Congress a joint plan for conducting 
     the transition. The plan shall include the strategy, 
     milestones, and budget required to execute the transition. 
     The transition plan shall be

[[Page 12348]]

     transmitted to Congress not later than 60 days after the 
     successful completion of the mission or sensor critical 
     design review.

     SEC. 205. LANDSAT THERMAL INFRARED DATA CONTINUITY.

       (a) Plan.--In view of the importance of Landsat thermal 
     infrared data for both scientific research and water 
     management applications, the Administrator shall prepare a 
     plan for ensuring the continuity of Landsat thermal infrared 
     data or its equivalent, including allocation of costs and 
     responsibility for the collection and distribution of the 
     data, and a budget plan. As part of the plan, the 
     Administrator shall provide an option for developing a 
     thermal infrared sensor at minimum cost to be flown on the 
     Landsat Data Continuity Mission with minimum delay to the 
     schedule of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission.
       (b) Deadline.--The plan shall be provided to Congress not 
     later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 206. REAUTHORIZATION OF GLORY MISSION.

       (a) Reauthorization.--Congress reauthorizes NASA to 
     continue with development of the Glory Mission, which will 
     examine how aerosols and solar energy affect the Earth's 
     climate.
       (b) Baseline Report.--Pursuant to the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public 
     Law 109-155), not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a new 
     baseline report consistent with section 103(b)(2) of such 
     Act. The report shall include an analysis of the factors 
     contributing to cost growth and the steps taken to address 
     them.

     SEC. 207. PLAN FOR DISPOSITION OF DEEP SPACE CLIMATE 
                   OBSERVATORY.

       (a) Plan.--NASA shall develop a plan for the Deep Space 
     Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), including such options as using 
     the parts of the spacecraft in the development and assembly 
     of other science missions, transferring the spacecraft to 
     another agency, reconfiguring the spacecraft for another 
     Earth science mission, establishing a public-private 
     partnership for the mission, and entering into an 
     international cooperative partnership to use the spacecraft 
     for its primary or other purposes. The plan shall include an 
     estimate of budgetary resources and schedules required to 
     implement each of the options.
       (b) Consultation.--NASA shall consult, as necessary, with 
     other Federal agencies, industry, academic institutions, and 
     international space agencies in developing the plan.
       (c) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit the plan 
     required under subsection (a) to the Committee on Science and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not 
     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

                         TITLE III--AERONAUTICS

     SEC. 301. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT RESEARCH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

       The Administrator shall establish an initiative involving 
     NASA, universities, industry, and other research 
     organizations as appropriate, of research, development, and 
     demonstration, in a relevant environment, of technologies to 
     enable the following commercial aircraft performance 
     characteristics:
       (1) Noise levels on takeoff and on airport approach and 
     landing that do not exceed ambient noise levels in the 
     absence of flight operations in the vicinity of airports from 
     which such commercial aircraft would normally operate, 
     without increasing energy consumption or nitrogen oxide 
     emissions compared to aircraft in commercial service as of 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       (2) Significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions 
     compared to aircraft in commercial services as of the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 302. RESEARCH ALIGNMENT.

       In addition to pursuing the research and development 
     initiative described in section 301, the Administrator shall, 
     to the maximum extent practicable within available funding, 
     align the fundamental aeronautics research program to address 
     high priority technology challenges of the National 
     Academies' Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, and shall 
     work to increase the degree of involvement of external 
     organizations, and especially of universities, in the 
     fundamental aeronautics research program.

     SEC. 303. RESEARCH PROGRAM TO DETERMINE PERCEIVED IMPACT OF 
                   SONIC BOOMS.

       (a) In General.--The ability to fly commercial aircraft 
     over land at supersonic speeds without adverse impacts on the 
     environment or on local communities would open new markets 
     and enable new transportation capabilities. In order to have 
     the basis for establishing an appropriate sonic boom standard 
     for such flight operations, a research program is needed to 
     assess the impact in a relevant environment of commercial 
     supersonic flight operations.
       (b) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a 
     cooperative research program with industry, including the 
     conduct of flight demonstrations in a relevant environment, 
     to collect data on the perceived impact of sonic booms that 
     would enable the promulgation of a standard that would have 
     to be met for overland commercial supersonic flight 
     operations.

     SEC. 304. EXTERNAL REVIEW OF NASA'S AVIATION SAFETY-RELATED 
                   RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

       (a) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Research Council for an 
     independent review of NASA's aviation safety-related research 
     programs. The review shall assess whether--
       (1) the programs have well-defined, prioritized, and 
     appropriate research objectives;
       (2) the programs are properly coordinated with the safety 
     research programs of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
     other relevant Federal agencies;
       (3) the programs have allocated appropriate resources to 
     each of the research objectives; and
       (4) suitable mechanisms exist for transitioning the 
     research results from the programs into operational 
     technologies and procedures and certification activities in a 
     timely manner.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 14 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the 
     review.

     SEC. 305. INTERAGENCY RESEARCH INITIATIVE ON THE IMPACT OF 
                   AVIATION ON THE CLIMATE.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with 
     the United States Climate Change Science Program and other 
     appropriate agencies, shall establish a research initiative 
     to assess the impact of aviation on the climate and, if 
     warranted, to evaluate approaches to mitigate that impact.
       (b) Research Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the participating Federal entities 
     shall jointly develop a plan for the research initiative that 
     contains objectives, proposed tasks, milestones, and a 5-year 
     budgetary profile.
       (c) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Research Council for conducting 
     an independent review of the interagency research program 
     plan, and shall provide the results of that review to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate not later than 2 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 306. RESEARCH PROGRAM ON DESIGN FOR CERTIFICATION.

       (a) Program.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, NASA, in consultation with other 
     appropriate agencies, shall establish a research program on 
     methods to improve both confidence in and the timeliness of 
     certification of new technologies for their introduction into 
     the national airspace system.
       (b) Research Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, as part of the activity described in 
     subsection (a), NASA shall develop a plan for the research 
     program that contains objectives, proposed tasks, milestones, 
     and a 5-year budgetary profile.
       (c) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Research Council for conducting 
     an independent review of the research program plan, and shall 
     provide the results of that review to the Committee on 
     Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 307. AVIATION WEATHER RESEARCH.

       The Administrator shall establish a program of 
     collaborative research with NOAA on convective weather 
     events, with the goal of significantly improving the 
     reliability of 2-hour to 6-hour aviation weather forecasts.

     SEC. 308. JOINT AERONAUTICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY 
                   COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment.--A joint Aeronautics Research and 
     Development Advisory Committee (in this section referred to 
     as the ``Advisory Committee'') shall be established.
       (b) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall--
       (1) make recommendations regarding the coordination of 
     research and development activities of NASA and the Federal 
     Aviation Administration;
       (2) make recommendations for and monitor development and 
     implementation of processes for transitioning research and 
     development from NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration 
     to external entities for further development as appropriate;
       (3) make recommendations regarding the status of the 
     activities of NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration's 
     research and development programs as they relate to the 
     recommendations contained in the National Research Council's 
     2006 report entitled ``Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics'', 
     and the recommendations contained in subsequent National 
     Research Council reports of a similar nature; and
       (4) not later than March 15 of each year, transmit a report 
     to the Administrator, the Administrator of the Federal 
     Aviation Administration, the Committee on Science and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the 
     Advisory Committee's findings and recommendations under 
     paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
       (c) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall consist of 10 
     members, none of whom shall be a Federal employee, 
     including--
       (1) 5 members selected by the Administrator; and
       (2) 5 members selected by the Chair of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration's Research, Engineering, and Development 
     Advisory Committee (REDAC).
       (d) Selection Process.--Initial selections under subsection 
     (c) shall be made within 3

[[Page 12349]]

     months after the date of enactment of this Act. Vacancies 
     shall be filled in the same manner as provided in subsection 
     (c).
       (e) Chairperson.--The Advisory Committee shall select a 
     chairperson from among its members.
       (f) Coordination.--The Advisory Committee shall coordinate 
     with the advisory bodies of other Federal agencies, which may 
     engage in related research activities.
       (g) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory Committee 
     shall serve without compensation, but shall receive travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
     accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (h) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall convene, in 
     person or by electronic means, at least 4 times per year.
       (i) Quorum.--A majority of the members serving on the 
     Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of 
     conducting the business of the Advisory Committee.
       (j) Duration.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee 
     Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 309. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN 
                   SUPPORT OF OTHER MISSION DIRECTORATES.

       Research and development activities performed by the 
     Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate with the primary 
     objective of assisting in the development of a flight project 
     in another Mission Directorate shall be funded by the Mission 
     Directorate seeking assistance.

     SEC. 310. UNIVERSITY-BASED CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON AVIATION 
                   TRAINING.

       Section 427(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155) 
     is amended by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall''.

             TITLE IV--INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION INITIATIVE

     SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that the President of the 
     United States should invite America's friends and allies to 
     participate in a long-term international initiative under the 
     leadership of the United States to expand human and robotic 
     presence into the solar system, including the exploration and 
     utilization of the Moon, near Earth asteroids, Lagrangian 
     points, and eventually Mars and its moons, among other 
     exploration and utilization goals.

     SEC. 402. STEPPING STONE APPROACH TO EXPLORATION.

       In order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-
     term exploration and utilization activities of the United 
     States, the Administrator shall take all necessary steps to 
     ensure that activities in its lunar exploration program shall 
     be designed and implemented in a manner that gives strong 
     consideration to how those activities might also help meet 
     the requirements of future exploration and utilization 
     activities beyond the Moon. The timetable of the lunar phase 
     of the long-term international exploration initiative shall 
     be determined by the availability of funding and agreement on 
     an international cooperative framework for the conduct of the 
     international exploration initiative. However, once an 
     exploration-related project enters its development phase, the 
     Administrator shall seek, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     to complete that project without undue delays.

     SEC. 403. LUNAR OUTPOST.

       (a) Establishment.--As NASA works toward the establishment 
     of a lunar outpost, NASA shall make no plans that would 
     require a lunar outpost to be occupied to maintain its 
     viability. Any such outpost shall be operable as a human-
     tended facility capable of remote or autonomous operation for 
     extended periods.
       (b) Designation.--The United States portion of the first 
     human-tended outpost established on the surface of the Moon 
     shall be designated the ``Neil A. Armstrong Lunar Outpost''.
       (c) Congressional Intent.--It is the intent of Congress 
     that NASA shall make use of commercial services to the 
     maximum extent practicable in support of its lunar outpost 
     activities.

     SEC. 404. EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) In General.--A robust program of long-term exploration-
     related technology research and development will be essential 
     for the success and sustainability of any enduring initiative 
     of human and robotic exploration of the solar system.
       (b) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish and 
     maintain a program of long-term exploration-related 
     technology research and development that is not tied to 
     specific flight projects and that has a funding goal of at 
     least 10 percent of the total budget of the Exploration 
     Systems Mission Directorate.
       (c) Goals.--The long-term technology program shall have the 
     goal of having at least 50 percent of the funding allocated 
     to external grants and contracts with universities, research 
     institutions, and industry.

     SEC. 405. EXPLORATION RISK MITIGATION PLAN.

       (a) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan that 
     identifies and prioritizes the human and technical risks that 
     will need to be addressed in carrying out human exploration 
     beyond low Earth orbit and the research and development 
     activities required to address those risks. The plan shall 
     address the role of the International Space Station in 
     exploration risk mitigation and include a detailed 
     description of the specific steps being taken to utilize the 
     International Space Station for that purpose.
       (b) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate the plan described in subsection 
     (a) not later than one year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 406. EXPLORATION CREW RESCUE.

       In order to maximize the ability to rescue astronauts whose 
     space vehicles have become disabled, the Administrator shall 
     enter into discussions with the appropriate representatives 
     of spacefaring nations who have or plan to have crew 
     transportation systems capable of orbital flight or flight 
     beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of agreeing on a 
     common docking system standard.

     SEC. 407. PARTICIPATORY EXPLORATION.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator shall develop a 
     technology plan to enable dissemination of information to the 
     public to allow the public to experience missions to the 
     Moon, Mars, or other bodies within our solar system by 
     leveraging advanced exploration technologies. The plan shall 
     identify opportunities to leverage technologies in NASA's 
     Constellation systems that deliver a rich, multi-media 
     experience to the public, and that facilitate participation 
     by the public, the private sector, nongovernmental 
     organizations, and international partners. Technologies for 
     collecting high-definition video, 3-dimensional images, and 
     scientific data, along with the means to rapidly deliver this 
     content through extended high bandwidth communications 
     networks shall be considered as part of this plan. It shall 
     include a review of high bandwidth radio and laser 
     communications, high-definition video, stereo imagery, 3-
     dimensional scene cameras, and Internet routers in space, 
     from orbit, and on the lunar surface. The plan shall also 
     consider secondary cargo capability for technology validation 
     and science mission opportunities. In addition, the plan 
     shall identify opportunities to develop and demonstrate these 
     technologies on the International Space Station and robotic 
     missions to the Moon, Mars, and other solar system bodies.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the 
     plan to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate.

     SEC. 408. SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION.

       It is the sense of Congress that NASA's scientific and 
     human exploration activities are synergistic, i.e. science 
     enables exploration and human exploration enables science. 
     The Congress encourages the Administrator to coordinate, 
     where practical, NASA's science and exploration activities 
     with the goal of maximizing the success of human exploration 
     initiatives and furthering our understanding of the Universe 
     that we explore.

                         TITLE V--SPACE SCIENCE

     SEC. 501. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.

       The Administrator shall establish a cross-Directorate long-
     term technology development program for space and Earth 
     science within the Science Mission Directorate for the 
     development of new technology. The program shall be 
     independent of the flight projects under development. NASA 
     shall have a goal of funding the cross-Directorate technology 
     development program at a level of 5 percent of the total 
     Science Mission Directorate annual budget. The program shall 
     be structured to include competitively awarded grants and 
     contracts.

     SEC. 502. PROVISION FOR FUTURE SERVICING OF OBSERVATORY-CLASS 
                   SCIENTIFIC SPACECRAFT.

       The Administrator shall take all necessary steps to ensure 
     that provision is made in the design and construction of all 
     future observatory-class scientific spacecraft intended to be 
     deployed in Earth orbit or at a Lagrangian point in space for 
     robotic or human servicing and repair.

     SEC. 503. MARS EXPLORATION.

       Congress reaffirms its support for a systematic, integrated 
     program of exploration of the Martian surface to examine the 
     planet whose surface is most like Earth's, to search for 
     evidence of past or present life, and to examine Mars for 
     future habitability and as a long-term goal for future human 
     exploration. To the extent affordable and practical, the 
     program should pursue the goal of launches at every Mars 
     launch opportunity, leading to an eventual robotic sample 
     return.

     SEC. 504. IMPORTANCE OF A BALANCED SCIENCE PROGRAM.

       It is the sense of Congress that a balanced and adequately 
     funded set of activities, consisting of NASA's research and 
     analysis grants programs, technology development, small, 
     medium-sized, and large space science missions, and 
     suborbital research activities, contributes to a robust and 
     productive science program and serves as a catalyst for 
     innovation. It is further the sense of Congress that 
     suborbital flight activities, including the use of sounding 
     rockets, aircraft, and high-altitude balloons, offer valuable 
     opportunities to advance science, train the next generation 
     of scientists and engineers, and provide opportunities for 
     participants in the programs to acquire skills in systems 
     engineering and systems integration that are critical to 
     maintaining the Nation's leadership in space programs. The 
     Congress believes that it is in the national interest to 
     expand the size of NASA's suborbital research program.

     SEC. 505. RESTORATION OF RADIOISOTOPE THERMOELECTRIC 
                   GENERATOR MATERIAL PRODUCTION.

       (a) Plan.--The Director of OSTP shall develop a plan for 
     restarting and sustaining the

[[Page 12350]]

     domestic production of radioisotope thermoelectric generator 
     material for deep space and other space science missions.
       (b) Report.--The plan developed under subsection (a) shall 
     be transmitted to Congress not later than 270 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 506. ASSESSMENT OF IMPEDIMENTS TO INTERAGENCY 
                   COOPERATION ON SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCE 
                   MISSIONS.

       (a) Assessment.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Academies to assess impediments 
     to the successful conduct of interagency cooperation on space 
     and Earth science missions, to provide lessons learned and 
     best practices, and to recommend steps to help facilitate 
     successful interagency collaborations on space and Earth 
     science missions.
       (b) Report.--The report of the assessment carried out under 
     subsection (a) shall be transmitted to the Committee on 
     Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate not later than 15 months after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.

     SEC. 507. ASSESSMENT OF COST GROWTH.

       (a) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
     arrangement for an independent external assessment to 
     identify the primary causes of cost growth in the large, 
     medium-sized, and small space and Earth science spacecraft 
     mission classes, and make recommendations as to what changes, 
     if any, should be made to contain costs and ensure frequent 
     mission opportunities in NASA's science spacecraft mission 
     programs.
       (b) Report.--The report of the assessment conducted under 
     subsection (a) shall be submitted to Congress not later than 
     15 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 508. OUTER PLANETS EXPLORATION.

       It is the sense of Congress that the outer solar system 
     planets and their satellites can offer important knowledge 
     about the formation and evolution of the solar system, the 
     nature and diversity of these solar system bodies, and the 
     potential for conditions conducive to life beyond Earth. NASA 
     should move forward with plans for an Outer Planets flagship 
     mission to the Europa-Jupiter system or the Titan-Saturn 
     system as soon as practicable within a balanced Planetary 
     Science program.

                       TITLE VI--SPACE OPERATIONS

                Subtitle A--International Space Station

     SEC. 601. UTILIZATION.

       The Administrator shall take all necessary steps to ensure 
     that the International Space Station remains a viable and 
     productive facility capable of potential United States 
     utilization through at least 2020 and shall take no steps 
     that would preclude its continued operation and utilization 
     by the United States after 2016.

     SEC. 602. RESEARCH MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       (a) Research Management Plan.--The Administrator shall 
     develop a research management plan for the International 
     Space Station. The plan shall include a process for selecting 
     and prioritizing research activities (including fundamental, 
     applied, commercial, and other research) for flight on the 
     International Space Station. This plan shall be used to 
     prioritize resources such as crew time, racks and equipment, 
     and United States access to international research facilities 
     and equipment. The plan shall also identify the organization 
     to be responsible for managing United States research on the 
     International Space Station, including a description of the 
     relationship of the management institution with NASA (e.g., 
     internal NASA office, contract, cooperative agreement, or 
     grant), the estimated length of time for the arrangement, and 
     the budget required to support the management institution. 
     The plan shall be developed in consultation with other 
     Federal agencies, academia, industry, and other relevant 
     stakeholders. The plan shall be transmitted to Congress not 
     later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Access to National Laboratory.--The Administrator 
     shall--
       (1) establish a process by which to support International 
     Space Station National Laboratory users in identifying their 
     requirements for transportation of research supplies to and 
     from the International Space Station, and for communicating 
     those requirements to NASA and International Space Station 
     transportation services providers; and
       (2) develop an estimate of the transportation requirements 
     needed to support users of the International Space Station 
     National Laboratory and develop a plan for satisfying those 
     requirements by dedicating a portion of volume on NASA supply 
     missions to the International Space Station and missions 
     returning from the International Space Station to Earth.
       (c) Assessment.--The Administrator shall--
       (1) identify existing research equipment and racks and 
     support equipment that are manifested for flight;
       (2) provide a detailed description of the status of 
     research equipment and facilities that were completed or in 
     development prior to being cancelled, and provide the budget 
     and milestones for completing and preparing the equipment for 
     flight on the International Space Station; and
       (3) provide the results of the assessment to the Committee 
     on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       (d) Advisory Committee.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
     establish an advisory panel under the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act to monitor the activities and management of the 
     International Space Station National Laboratory.

     SEC. 603. CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR CARGO RESUPPLY.

       (a) In General.--The International Space Station represents 
     a significant investment of national resources, and it is a 
     facility that embodies a cooperative international approach 
     to the exploration and utilization of space. As such, it is 
     important that its continued viability and productivity be 
     ensured, to the maximum extent possible, after the Space 
     Shuttle is retired.
       (b) Contingency Plan.--The Administrator shall develop a 
     contingency plan and arrangements, including use of 
     International Space Station international partner cargo 
     resupply capabilities, to ensure the continued viability and 
     productivity of the International Space Station in the event 
     that United States commercial cargo resupply services are not 
     available during any extended period after the date that the 
     Space Shuttle is retired. The plan shall be delivered to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate not later than one year after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.

                       Subtitle B--Space Shuttle

     SEC. 611. FLIGHT MANIFEST.

       (a) Baseline Manifest.--In addition to the Space Shuttle 
     flights listed as part of the baseline flight manifest as of 
     January 1, 2008, the Utilization flights ULF-4 and ULF-5 
     shall be considered part of the Space Shuttle baseline flight 
     manifest and shall be flown prior to the retirement of the 
     Space Shuttle.
       (b) Additional Flight To Deliver the Alpha Magnetic 
     Spectrometer to the International Space Station.--In addition 
     to the flying of the baseline manifest as described in 
     subsection (a), the Administrator shall take all necessary 
     steps to fly one additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver 
     the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space 
     Station prior to the retirement of the Space Shuttle.
       (c) Space Shuttle Retirement Date.--The Space Shuttle shall 
     be retired following the completion of the baseline flight 
     manifest and the flight of the additional flight specified in 
     subsection (b), events that are anticipated to occur in 2010.

     SEC. 612. DISPOSITION OF SHUTTLE-RELATED ASSETS.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator shall provide a plan to Congress for 
     the disposition of the remaining Space Shuttle orbiters and 
     other Space Shuttle program-related hardware and facilities 
     after the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet. The plan 
     shall include a process by which educational institutions and 
     science museums and other appropriate organizations may 
     acquire, through loan or disposal by the Federal Government, 
     Space Shuttle program-related hardware. The Administrator 
     shall not dispose of any Space Shuttle-related hardware prior 
     to the completion of the plan.

     SEC. 613. SPACE SHUTTLE TRANSITION LIAISON OFFICE.

       (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish an 
     office within NASA's Office of Human Capital Management that 
     shall assist local communities affected by the termination of 
     the Space Shuttle program. The office shall offer technical 
     assistance and serve as a clearinghouse to assist communities 
     in identifying services available from other Federal 
     agencies.
       (b) Sunset.--The Office established under subsection (a) 
     shall cease operations 24 months after the last Space Shuttle 
     flight.

                      Subtitle C--Launch Services

     SEC. 621. LAUNCH SERVICES STRATEGY.

       (a) In General.--In preparation for the award of contracts 
     to follow up on the current NASA Launch Services (NLS) 
     contracts, the Administrator shall develop a strategy for 
     providing domestic commercial launch services in support of 
     NASA's small and medium-sized Science, Space Operations, and 
     Exploration missions, consistent with current law and policy.
       (b) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit a report to 
     the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate describing the strategy 
     developed under subsection (a) not later than 90 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall provide, 
     at a minimum--
       (1) the results of the Request for Information on small to 
     medium-sized launch services released on April 22, 2008;
       (2) an analysis of possible alternatives to maintain small 
     and medium-sized lift capabilities after June 30, 2010, 
     including the use of the Department of Defense's Evolved 
     Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV);
       (3) the recommended alternatives, and associated 5-year 
     budget plans starting in October 2010 that would enable their 
     implementation; and
       (4) a contingency plan in the event the recommended 
     alternatives described in paragraph (3) are not available 
     when needed.

                          TITLE VII--EDUCATION

     SEC. 701. RESPONSE TO REVIEW.

       (a) Plan.--The Administrator shall prepare a plan 
     identifying actions taken or planned in response to the 
     recommendations of the National Academies report, ``NASA's 
     Elementary and

[[Page 12351]]

     Secondary Education Program: Review and Critique''. For those 
     actions that have not been implemented, the plan shall 
     include a schedule and budget required to support the 
     actions.
       (b) Report.--The plan prepared under subsection (a) shall 
     be transmitted to the Committee on Science and Technology of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 702. EXTERNAL REVIEW OF EXPLORER SCHOOLS PROGRAM.

       (a) Review.--The Administrator shall make arrangements for 
     an independent external review of the Explorer Schools 
     program to evaluate its goals, status, plans, and 
     accomplishments.
       (b) Report.--The report of the independent external review 
     shall be transmitted to the Committee on Science and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not 
     later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

                     TITLE VIII--NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS

     SEC. 801. IN GENERAL.

       The Congress reaffirms the policy direction established in 
     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
     Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155) for NASA to 
     detect, track, catalogue, and characterize the physical 
     characteristics of near-Earth objects equal to or greater 
     than 140 meters in diameter. NASA's Near-Earth Object program 
     activities will also provide benefits to NASA's scientific 
     and exploration activities.

     SEC. 802. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Near-Earth objects pose a serious and credible threat 
     to humankind, as many scientists believe that a major 
     asteroid or comet was responsible for the mass extinction of 
     the majority of the Earth's species, including the dinosaurs, 
     nearly 65,000,000 years ago.
       (2) Several such near-Earth objects have only been 
     discovered within days of the objects' closest approach to 
     Earth and recent discoveries of such large objects indicate 
     that many large near-Earth objects remain undiscovered.
       (3) Asteroid and comet collisions rank as one of the most 
     costly natural disasters that can occur.
       (4) The time needed to eliminate or mitigate the threat of 
     a collision of a potentially hazardous near-Earth object with 
     Earth is measured in decades.
       (5) Unlike earthquakes and hurricanes, asteroids and comets 
     can provide adequate collision information, enabling the 
     United States to include both asteroid-collision and comet-
     collision disaster recovery and disaster avoidance in its 
     public-safety structure.
       (6) Basic information is needed for technical and policy 
     decisionmaking for the United States to create a 
     comprehensive program in order to be ready to eliminate and 
     mitigate the serious and credible threats to humankind posed 
     by potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids and comets.
       (7) As a first step to eliminate and to mitigate the risk 
     of such collisions, situation and decision analysis 
     processes, as well as procedures and system resources, must 
     be in place well before a collision threat becomes known.

     SEC. 803. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.

       The Administrator shall issue requests for information on--
       (1) a low-cost space mission with the purpose of 
     rendezvousing with, attaching a tracking device, and 
     characterizing the Apophis asteroid, which scientists 
     estimate will in 2029 pass at a distance from Earth that is 
     closer than geostationary satellites; and
       (2) a medium-sized space mission with the purpose of 
     detecting near-Earth objects equal to or greater than 140 
     meters in diameter.

     SEC. 804. ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICY.

       Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Director of OSTP shall--
       (1) develop a policy for notifying Federal agencies and 
     relevant emergency response institutions of an impending 
     near-Earth object threat, if near term public safety is at 
     stake; and
       (2) recommend a Federal agency or agencies to be 
     responsible for protecting the Nation from a near-Earth 
     object that is anticipated to collide with Earth and 
     implementing a deflection campaign, in consultation with 
     international bodies, should one be required.

     SEC. 805. PLANETARY RADAR CAPABILITY.

       The Administrator shall maintain a planetary radar that is, 
     at minimum, comparable to the capability provided through the 
     NASA Deep Space Network Goldstone facility.

     SEC. 806. ARECIBO OBSERVATORY.

       Congress reiterates its support for the use of the Arecibo 
     Observatory for NASA-funded near-Earth object-related 
     activities. The Administrator shall ensure the availability 
     of the Arecibo Observatory's planetary radar to support these 
     activities until the National Academies' review of NASA's 
     approach for the survey and deflection of near-Earth objects, 
     including a determination of the role of Arecibo, that was 
     directed to be undertaken by the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus 
     Appropriations Act, is completed.

                    TITLE IX--COMMERCIAL INITIATIVES

     SEC. 901. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that a healthy and robust 
     commercial sector can make significant contributions to the 
     successful conduct of NASA's space exploration program. While 
     some activities are inherently governmental in nature, there 
     are many other activities, such as routine supply of water, 
     fuel, and other consumables to low Earth orbit or to 
     destinations beyond low Earth orbit, and provision of power 
     or communications services to lunar outposts, that 
     potentially could be carried out effectively and efficiently 
     by the commercial sector at some point in the future. 
     Congress encourages NASA to look for such service 
     opportunities and, to the maximum extent practicable, make 
     use of the commercial sector to provide those services.

     SEC. 902. COMMERCIAL CREW INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--In order to stimulate commercial use of 
     space, help maximize the utility and productivity of the 
     International Space Station, and enable a commercial means of 
     providing crew transfer and crew rescue services for the 
     International Space Station, NASA shall--
       (1) make use of United States commercially provided 
     International Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue 
     services to the maximum extent practicable, if those 
     commercial services have demonstrated the capability to meet 
     NASA-specified ascent, entry, and International Space Station 
     proximity operations safety requirements;
       (2) limit, to the maximum extent practicable, the use of 
     the Crew Exploration Vehicle to missions carrying astronauts 
     beyond low Earth orbit once commercial crew transfer and crew 
     rescue services that meet safety requirements become 
     operational;
       (3) facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
     transfer of NASA-developed technologies to potential United 
     States commercial crew transfer and rescue service providers, 
     consistent with United States law; and
       (4) issue a notice of intent, not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, to enter into a funded, 
     competitively awarded Space Act Agreement with two or more 
     commercial entities for a Phase 1 Commercial Orbital 
     Transportation Services (COTS) crewed vehicle demonstration 
     program.
       (b) COTS Crewed Vehicle Demonstration Program Authorization 
     of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to NASA for the program described in subsection (a)(4) 
     $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until 
     expended.
       (c) Congressional Intent.--It is the intent of Congress 
     that funding for the program described in subsection (a)(4) 
     shall not come at the expense of full funding of the amounts 
     authorized under section 101(a)(3), and for future fiscal 
     years, for Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle development, Ares I 
     Crew Launch Vehicle development, or International Space 
     Station cargo delivery.
       (d) Additional Technologies Authorization of 
     Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     NASA for the provision of International Space Station-
     compatible docking adaptors and other relevant technologies 
     to be made available to the commercial crew providers 
     selected to service the International Space Station 
     $50,000,000, to remain available until expended.
       (e) Crew Transfer and Crew Rescue Services Contract.--If a 
     commercial provider demonstrates the capability to provide 
     International Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue 
     services and to satisfy NASA ascent, entry, and International 
     Space Station proximity operations safety requirements, NASA 
     shall enter into an International Space Station crew transfer 
     and crew rescue services contract with that commercial 
     provider for a portion of NASA's anticipated International 
     Space Station crew transfer and crew rescue requirements from 
     the time the commercial provider commences operations under 
     contract with NASA through calendar year 2016, with an option 
     to extend the period of performance through calendar year 
     2020.

       TITLE X--REVITALIZATION OF NASA INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES

     SEC. 1001. REVIEW OF INFORMATION SECURITY CONTROLS.

       (a) Report on Controls.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
     transmit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate a review of 
     information security controls that protect NASA's information 
     technology resources and information from inadvertent or 
     deliberate misuse, fraudulent use, disclosure, modification, 
     or destruction. The review shall focus on networks servicing 
     NASA's mission directorates. In assessing these controls, the 
     review shall evaluate--
       (1) the network's ability to limit, detect, and monitor 
     access to resources and information, thereby safeguarding and 
     protecting them from unauthorized access;
       (2) the physical access to network resources; and
       (3) the extent to which sensitive research and mission data 
     is encrypted.
       (b) Restricted Report on Intrusions.--Not later than one 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act, and in 
     conjunction with the report described in subsection (a), the 
     Comptroller General shall transmit to the Committee on 
     Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a restricted report detailing results of vulnerability 
     assessments conducted by the Government Accountability Office 
     on NASA's network resources. Intrusion attempts during such 
     vulnerability assessments shall be divulged to NASA senior

[[Page 12352]]

      management prior to their application. The report shall put 
     vulnerability assessment results in the context of 
     unauthorized accesses or attempts during the prior two years 
     and the corrective actions, recent or ongoing, that NASA has 
     implemented in conjunction with other Federal authorities to 
     prevent such intrusions.

     SEC. 1002. MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADE OF CENTER FACILITIES.

       (a) In General.--In order to sustain healthy Centers that 
     are capable of carrying out NASA's missions, the 
     Administrator shall ensure that adequate maintenance and 
     upgrading of those Center facilities is performed on a 
     regular basis.
       (b) Review.--The Administrator shall determine and 
     prioritize the maintenance and upgrade backlog at each of 
     NASA's Centers and associated facilities, and shall develop a 
     strategy and budget plan to reduce that maintenance and 
     upgrade backlog by 50 percent over the next five years.
       (c) Report.--The Administrator shall deliver a report to 
     Congress on the results of the activities undertaken in 
     subsection (b) concurrently with the delivery of the fiscal 
     year 2011 budget request.

     SEC. 1003. ASSESSMENT OF NASA LABORATORY CAPABILITIES.

       (a) In General.--NASA's laboratories are a critical 
     component of NASA's research capabilities, and the 
     Administrator shall ensure that those laboratories remain 
     productive.
       (b) Review.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
     arrangement for an independent external review of NASA's 
     laboratories, including laboratory equipment, facilities, and 
     support services, to determine whether they are equipped and 
     maintained at a level adequate to support NASA's research 
     activities. The assessment shall also include an assessment 
     of the relative quality of NASA's in-house laboratory 
     equipment and facilities compared to comparable laboratories 
     elsewhere. The results of the review shall be provided to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate not later than 18 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.

                       TITLE XI--OTHER PROVISIONS

     SEC. 1101. SPACE WEATHER.

       (a) Plan for Replacement of Advanced Composition Explorer 
     at L-1 Lagrangian Point.--
       (1) Plan.--The Director of OSTP shall develop a plan for 
     sustaining space-based measurements of solar wind from the L-
     1 Lagrangian point in space and for the dissemination of the 
     data for operational purposes. OSTP shall consult with NASA, 
     NOAA, and other Federal agencies, and with industry, in 
     developing the plan.
       (2) Report.--The Director shall transmit the plan to 
     Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       (b) Research Program on Space Weather and Aviation.--
       (1) Establishment.--The Administrator shall, in 
     coordination with the National Science Foundation, NOAA, and 
     other relevant agencies, initiate a research program to--
       (A) conduct or supervise research projects on impacts of 
     space weather to aviation, including impacts on 
     communication, navigation, avionic systems, and airline 
     passengers and personnel; and
       (B) facilitate the transfer of technology from space 
     weather research programs to Federal agencies with 
     operational responsibilities and to the private sector.
       (2) Use of grants or cooperative agreements.--The 
     Administrator may use grants or cooperative agreements in 
     carrying out this subsection.
       (c) Assessment of the Impact of Space Weather on 
     Aviation.--
       (1) Study.--The Administrator shall enter into an 
     arrangement with the National Research Council for a study of 
     the impacts of space weather on the current and future United 
     States aviation industry, and in particular to examine the 
     risks for Over-The-Pole (OTP) and Ultra-Long-Range (ULR) 
     operations. The study shall--
       (A) examine space weather impacts on at least 
     communications, navigation, avionics, and human health in 
     flight;
       (B) assess the benefits of space weather information and 
     services to reduce aviation costs and maintain safety;
       (C) provide recommendations on how NASA, NOAA, and the 
     National Science Foundation can most effectively carry out 
     research and monitoring activities related to space weather 
     and aviation; and
       (D) provide recommendations on how to integrate space 
     weather information into the Next Generation Air 
     Transportation System.
       (2) Report.--A report containing the results of the study 
     shall be provided to the Committee on Science and Technology 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later 
     than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 1102. SPACE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.

       (a) In General.--As more nations acquire the capabilities 
     for launching payloads into outer space, there is an 
     increasing need for a framework under which information 
     intended to promote safe access into outer space, operations 
     in outer space, and return from outer space to Earth free 
     from physical or radio-frequency interference can be shared 
     among those nations.
       (b) Discussions.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
     other appropriate agencies of the Federal Government, shall 
     initiate discussions with the appropriate representatives of 
     other spacefaring nations with the goal of determining an 
     appropriate framework under which information intended to 
     promote safe access into outer space, operations in outer 
     space, and return from outer space to Earth free from 
     physical or radio-frequency interference can be shared among 
     those nations.

     SEC. 1103. STUDY OF EXPORT CONTROL POLICIES RELATED TO CIVIL 
                   AND COMMERCIAL SPACE ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Review.--The Director of OSTP shall carry out a study 
     of the impact of current export control policies and 
     implementation directives on the United States aerospace 
     industry and its competitiveness in global markets, and on 
     the ability of United States Government agencies to carry out 
     cooperative activities in science and technology and human 
     space flight, including the impact on research carried out 
     under the sponsorship of those agencies.
       (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the study, the Director 
     shall seek input from industry, academia, representatives of 
     the science community, all affected United States Government 
     agencies, and any other appropriate organizations and 
     individuals.
       (c) Report.--The Director shall provide a report detailing 
     the findings and recommendations of the study to the 
     Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate not later than 9 months after 
     the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 1104. ASTRONAUT HEALTH CARE.

       (a) Survey.--The Administrator shall administer an 
     anonymous survey of astronauts and flight surgeons to 
     evaluate communication, relationships, and the effectiveness 
     of policies. The survey questions and the analysis of results 
     shall be evaluated by experts independent of NASA. The survey 
     shall be administered on at least a biennial basis.
       (b) Report.--The Administrator shall transmit a report of 
     the results of the survey to Congress not later than 90 days 
     following completion of the survey.

     SEC. 1105. NATIONAL ACADEMIES DECADAL SURVEYS.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator shall enter into 
     agreements on a periodic basis with the National Academies 
     for independent assessments, also known as decadal surveys, 
     to take stock of the status and opportunities for Earth and 
     space science discipline fields and Aeronautics research and 
     to recommend priorities for research and programmatic areas 
     over the next decade.
       (b) Independent Cost Estimates.--The agreements described 
     in subsection(a) shall include independent estimates of the 
     life cycle costs and technical readiness of missions assessed 
     in the decadal surveys whenever possible.
       (c) Reexamination.--The Administrator shall request that 
     each National Academies decadal survey committee identify any 
     conditions or events, such as significant cost growth or 
     scientific or technological advances, that would warrant NASA 
     asking the National Academies to reexamine the priorities 
     that the decadal survey had established.

     SEC. 1106. INNOVATION PRIZES.

       (a) In General.--Prizes can play a useful role in 
     encouraging innovation in the development of technologies and 
     products that can assist NASA in its aeronautics and space 
     activities, and the use of such prizes by NASA should be 
     encouraged.
       (b) Amendments.--Section 314 of the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Act of 1958 is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
       ``(b) Topics.--In selecting topics for prize competitions, 
     the Administrator shall consult widely both within and 
     outside the Federal Government, and may empanel advisory 
     committees. The Administrator shall give consideration to 
     prize goals such as the demonstration of the ability to 
     provide energy to the lunar surface from space-based solar 
     power systems, demonstration of innovative near-Earth object 
     survey and deflection strategies, and innovative approaches 
     to improving the safety and efficiency of aviation 
     systems.''; and
       (2) in subsection (i)(4) by striking ``$10,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$50,000,000''.

     SEC. 1107. COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCH RANGE STUDY.

       (a) Study by Interagency Committee.--The Director of OSTP 
     shall work with other appropriate Federal agencies to 
     establish an interagency committee to conduct a study to--
       (1) identify the issues and challenges associated with 
     establishing a space launch range and facilities that are 
     fully dedicated to commercial space missions in close 
     proximity to Federal launch ranges or other Federal 
     facilities; and
       (2) develop a coordinating mechanism such that States 
     seeking to establish such commercial space launch ranges will 
     be able to effectively and efficiently interface with the 
     Federal Government concerning issues related to the 
     establishment of such commercial launch ranges in close 
     proximity to Federal launch ranges or other Federal 
     facilities.

[[Page 12353]]

       (b) Report.--The Director shall, not later than May 31, 
     2010, submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
     results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

     SEC. 1108. NASA OUTREACH AND TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--NASA shall contract with an 
     organization that has demonstrated the ability to partner 
     with NASA centers, aerospace contractors, and academic 
     institutions to carry out a program to transfer the knowledge 
     and technology of the space and aeronautics programs to small 
     businesses in communities across the United States. The 
     program shall support the mission of NASA's Innovative 
     Partnerships Program to provide technical assistance through 
     joint partnerships with industry, academia, government 
     agencies, and national laboratories.
       (b) Program Structure.--In carrying out the program 
     described in subsection (a), the organization shall support 
     the mission of NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program by 
     undertaking the following activities:
       (1) Facilitating technology transfer to the private sector 
     to produce viable commercial products.
       (2) Creating a network of academic institutions, aerospace 
     contractors, and NASA centers that will commit to donating 
     technical assistance to small businesses.
       (3) Creating a network of economic development 
     organizations to increase the awareness and enhance the 
     effectiveness of the program nationwide.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
     Administrator shall submit a report to the Committee on 
     Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate describing the efforts and accomplishments of the 
     program established under subsection (a) in support of NASA's 
     Innovative Partnerships Program. As part of the report, the 
     Administrator shall provide--
       (1) data on the number of small businesses receiving 
     assistance, jobs created and retained, and volunteer hours 
     donated by NASA, contractors, and academic institutions 
     nationwide;
       (2) an estimate of the total dollar value of the economic 
     impact made by small businesses that received technical 
     assistance through the program; and
       (3) an accounting of the use of funds appropriated for the 
     program.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to NASA for the program established under 
     subsection (a), $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 from the 
     funding available for the Innovative Partnerships Program, to 
     remain available until expended.
  The CHAIRMAN. No amendment to the committee amendment is in order 
except those printed in House Report 110-707. Each amendment may be 
offered only in the order printed in the report, by a Member designated 
in the report, shall be considered read, shall be debatable for the 
time specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent of the amendment, shall not be subject to 
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the 
question.


           Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Gordon of Tennessee

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman offer an amendment?
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Yes, I do, Madam Chairman.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. Gordon of Tennessee:
       In section 303, add at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       (c) Coordination.--The Administrator shall ensure that 
     sonic boom research is coordinated as appropriate with the 
     Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and as 
     appropriate make use of the expertise of the Partnership for 
     Air Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction Center of 
     Excellence sponsored by NASA and the Federal Aviation 
     Administration.
       Amend section 305 to read as follows:

     SEC. 305. INTERAGENCY RESEARCH INITIATIVE ON THE IMPACT OF 
                   AVIATION ON THE CLIMATE.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration, in coordination with NASA and the United 
     States Climate Change Science Program, shall establish a 
     research initiative to assess the impact of aviation on the 
     climate and, if warranted, to evaluate approaches to mitigate 
     that impact.
       (b) Research Plan.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the participating Federal entities 
     shall jointly develop a plan for the research program that 
     contains the objectives, proposed tasks, milestones, and 5-
     year budgetary profile.
       Amend section 306 to read as follows (and amend the table 
     of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 306. RESEARCH ON DESIGN FOR CERTIFICATION.

       (a) Establishment of Program.--Not later than 6 months 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Aviation 
     Administration, in consultation with other agencies as 
     appropriate, shall establish a research program on methods to 
     improve both confidence in and the timeliness of 
     certification of new technologies for their introduction into 
     the national airspace system.
       (b) Research Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, as part of the activity described in 
     subsection (a), the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
     develop a plan for the research program that contains the 
     objectives, proposed tasks, milestones, and five-year 
     budgetary profile.
       (c) Review.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration shall have the National Research Council 
     conduct an independent review of the research program plan 
     and provide the results of that review to the Committee on 
     Science and Technology and the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
       In section 504, strike ``and high-altitude balloons,'' and 
     insert ``high-altitude balloons, and suborbital reusable 
     launch vehicles,''.
       In title VII, add at the end the following new section (and 
     amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 703. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that NASA's educational 
     programs are important sources of inspiration and hands-on 
     learning for the next generation of engineers and scientists 
     and should be supported. In that regard, programs such as 
     EarthKAM, which brings NASA directly into American classrooms 
     by enabling students to talk directly with Astronauts aboard 
     International Space Station and take photographs of Earth 
     from space, and NASA involvement in robotics competitions for 
     students of all levels, are particularly worthy undertakings 
     and NASA should support them and look for additional 
     opportunities to engage students through NASA's space and 
     aeronautics activities.
       In section 901, insert ``It is further the sense of 
     Congress that United States entrepreneurial space companies 
     have the potential to develop and deliver innovative 
     technology solutions at affordable costs. NASA is encouraged 
     to use United States entrepreneurial space companies to 
     conduct appropriate research and development activities. NASA 
     is further encouraged to seek ways to ensure that firms that 
     rely on fixed-price proposals are not disadvantaged when NASA 
     seeks to procure technology development.'' after ``provide 
     those services.''.
       In title XI, add at the end the following new sections (and 
     amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 1109. REDUCTION-IN-FORCE MORATORIUM.

       NASA shall not initiate or implement a reduction-in-force, 
     or conduct any other involuntary separations of permanent, 
     non-Senior Executive Service, civil servant employees except 
     for cause on charges of misconduct, delinquency, or 
     inefficiency prior to December 31, 2010.

     SEC. 1110. LIMIT ON THE USE OF TERM POSITIONS.

       NASA shall limit the percentage of employees in term 
     positions, excluding students and cooperatives, within NASA 
     to less than or equal to ten percent of the total number of 
     non-Senior Executive Service, civil servant employees in 
     fiscal year 2009.

     SEC. 1111. TEMPORARY CONTINUATION OF COVERAGE OF HEALTH 
                   BENEFITS.

       (a) Section 8905a (d) of title 5, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6)(A) If the basis for continued coverage under this 
     section is, as a result of the termination of the Space 
     Shuttle Program, an involuntary separation from a position 
     due to a reduction-in-force or declination of a directed 
     reassignment or transfer of function, or a voluntary 
     separation from a surplus position in the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration--
       ``(i) the individual shall be liable for not more than the 
     employee contributions referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i); 
     and
       ``(ii) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
     shall pay the remaining portion of the amount required under 
     paragraph (1) (A).
       ``(B) This paragraph shall only apply with respect to 
     individuals whose continued coverage is based on a separation 
     occurring on or after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     and before December 31, 2010.
       ``(C) For purposes of this paragraph, ``surplus position'' 
     means a position which is--
       ``(i) identified in pre-reduction-in-force planning as no 
     longer required, and which is

[[Page 12354]]

     expected to be eliminated under formal reduction-in-force 
     procedures as a result of the termination of the Space 
     Shuttle Program; or
       ``(ii) encumbered by an employee who has received official 
     certification from the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration consistent with the Administration's career 
     transition assistance program regulations that the position 
     is being abolished as a result of the termination of the 
     Space Shuttle Program.''.
       (b) Paragraph (1)(A) of such subsection (d) is amended by 
     striking ``(4) and (5)'' and inserting ``(4), (5), and (6)''.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Madam Chairman this is a bipartisan manager's amendment that has been 
developed in close collaboration with the Science and Technology 
Committee minority leadership.
  It provides several aeronautics-related provisions in the bill to 
conform them to provisions that were included in last year's House-
passed FAA reauthorization bill.
  It also includes a provision in section 303 related to coordination 
with the FAA on sonic boom research, which will help ensure that NASA's 
research results can help inform any future FAA rulemaking.
  The amendment also encourages the potential scientific utility of 
emerging commercial, reusable launch vehicles by citing them as 
potential options for suborbital scientific research once they become 
available.
  The amendment also includes language provisions by Mr. Lampson on the 
value of NASA's EarthKAM and robotics competitions for aspiring 
students.
  Both of these activities were great ways to inspire students to learn 
about math, science and technology by providing exciting learning 
experiences. And I want to commend Mr. Lampson for his initiative in 
this area.
  The amendment also expands section 901 to include a sense of Congress 
urging NASA's use of entrepreneurial companies to conduct corporate 
R&D.
  Innovative ideas and products have repeatedly come out of these small 
entrepreneurial companies, and this amendment encourages NASA to seek 
ways to ensure such firms are not disadvantaged when the agency seeks 
to procure technology development.
  Finally, the manager's amendment includes several important NASA 
workforce-related provisions, including an extension of the RIF 
moratorium, a limit on the use of certain positions in fiscal year 
2009, and temporary continuation of health care benefits.
  We have worked with NASA, the IFPTE union, and Chairman Davis' 
subcommittee on Federal Workforce to come up with a reasonable set of 
provisions.
  The workforce provisions included in the manager's amendment are 
acceptable to all parties, and I believe they will help strengthen and 
protect the NASA workforce.
  In sum, I believe the manager's amendment will make a good deal even 
better. And I urge Members to support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Chair now recognizes Mr. Hall from Texas.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Chairman, I rise to claim the time, and I am 
going to encourage my colleagues to support this amendment. But first I 
want to yield 3 minutes to Mr. Feeney, the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. FEENEY. I thank Ranking Member Hall, and I thank Chairman Gordon 
for this amendment. I did want to take a moment or two to point out a 
very important aspect of this manager's amendment. It directs the White 
House Office of Science and Technology to establish an interagency 
committee to study issues related to locating a commercial space launch 
range in close proximity to a Federal launch range.
  In order to have viable commercial launch operations in the United 
States, effective coordination and cooperation must exist between 
potential commercial ranges and existing Federal ranges. Federal 
agencies have to endeavor to assist and not choke off commercial space 
ranges. The interagency committee will focus on these agencies and the 
importance of this issue.
  Let me say that for the last 50 years, space has been really a 
bipolar world. Either you were a part of the former Soviet orbit and 
space power, or you were part of the American-led free nations in space 
power.
  Today it is a very different world. I just recently came back from 
the first ever global space summit in Beijing, China, where over 15 
nations were represented, some six or seven major spacefaring powers. 
It is not just people that have to come ask the United States to get 
permission to get commercial opportunities in space today. There are 
some 50 different international agreements, many of which don't even 
involve the United States of America.
  In some ways, our competitors are beating us to the punch in 
commercial launch opportunities. It is not just bad for business. Let 
me say, for example, the Chinese have launched over 33 satellites from 
other countries. They are doing this to help countries we would 
consider troublesome, for example, Venezuela or Nigeria. They are also 
using it to buy influence with our friends, like Japan or Brazil. 
America cannot shoot itself in the foot in developing and maintaining 
our historic leadership in commercial opportunities any more than we 
can give up predominance in the civilian side of human space 
exploration.
  And so this manager's amendment contains a very important aspect. I 
sincerely applaud the chairman and others, including John Culberson, 
for advocating for this specific piece of the manager's amendment.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Colorado, the chairman of the subcommittee.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise in support of the manager's amendment. We have all worked 
together to fashion a constructive amendment. And I believe it includes 
a number of useful provisions that enhance the bill. Chairman Gordon 
already described them. So I am not going to restate them. But I want 
to note in particular that the workforce provisions included in the 
amendment have been under consideration for some time. We wanted to 
make sure however that we had the concurrence of all the stakeholders 
before we added any of these provisions. That has been done. The 
provisions will strengthen and protect the NASA workforce. I would ask 
the Members to support this amendment. It is a good amendment. It 
deserves the support of the body.
  Mr. FEENEY. I am claiming time, without objection, for the minority 
side. We have no further speakers and would urge support and adoption 
of the manager's amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield the remainder of my 
time to my friend from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
  The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for 1 minute.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of the 
manager's amendment and the underlying bill that reauthorizes the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I want to thank the 
chairman of the Federal Workforce Subcommittee for working with me on 
three critical provisions that are included in this amendment. I also 
want to thank the chairman of the Science and Technology Committee and 
the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee for putting together yet another 
bill that protects NASA and for working with me on this amendment.
  The most important provision in this amendment is an extension of the 
ban on layoffs until at least 2011. Since announcing the ambitious 
vision for space exploration, the administration underfunded NASA. But 
Congress has consistently, and I might point out, in a bipartisan way, 
rejected these destructive cuts and layoffs. I am particularly proud of 
the way our own Ohio delegation has worked together on this.

[[Page 12355]]

  Layoffs undermine not only workers' lives and the mission of the 
agency but also the regional economy. According to the researchers at 
Cleveland State University, NASA Glenn in Brook Park generated a demand 
for products and services of $955 million and was responsible for over 
6,000 jobs in northeast Ohio in 2006.
  Over the last few years, NASA has hired nearly three-quarters of its 
new science and engineering employees as short-term employees, thereby 
denying them full Civil Service protections. The 10 percent cap on 
short-term positions in this amendment will help NASA compete for the 
best and brightest in the field.
  The third provision would temporarily extend health care benefits for 
employees in transition. The sudden loss of health care coverage is a 
major factor currently discouraging employees from taking a buy-out. 
The provision would be helpful in fostering a respectful workforce 
transition plan during this time of change for NASA.
  This amendment and the underlying bill keep NASA healthy by 
supporting its employees. All across this country, from one end of the 
country to the other, there are NASA employees who are performing a 
valuable service, who are helping us to create the jobs of the future 
and enabling America to fulfill its vision to keep reaching.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the Manager's 
Amendment to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act of 2008 (NASA Reauthorization), offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee, Representative Bart Gordon, Chairman of the 
Committee on Science and Technology. I commend Chairman Gordon for his 
work on this important bill, which provides approximately $20 billion 
in funding authorization for fiscal year 2009, including approximately 
$853 million for aeronautical research, which is vital to commercial 
aviation.
  The Manager's Amendment includes two revisions to the base 
authorization bill to reflect previous agreements between the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science Committee 
on provisions that were part of H.R. 2881, The FAA Reauthorization Act 
of 2007, which passed the House on September 20, 2007. The Manager's 
Amendment revises Section 305 of the bill, to require the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, in coordination with NASA 
and the United States Climate Change Science Program to establish a 
research initiative to assess the impact of aviation on the climate and 
to evaluate mitigation approaches. In addition, this section, as 
amended, requires, within one year of the date of enactment, the 
participating federal agencies to develop a plan for a research program 
dedicated to aviation's impact on the climate.
  The Manager's Amendment also amends Section 306 of the bill to 
require the FAA, in consultation with other agencies, to establish a 
research program on ways to improve the confidence in and timeliness of 
certification of new technologies for introduction into the National 
Airspace System. In addition, this section, as amended, requires the 
FAA to develop a research plan, and to contract with the National 
Research Council to conduct an independent review of the research 
program plan, with a subsequent report to the committees of 
jurisdiction, including the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure.
  Madam Chairman, I support H.R. 6063, as amended by the Manager's 
Amendment, and urge my colleagues to do so as well.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Feeney

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment under the name of Mr. 
Rohrabacher at the desk.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 2 offered by Mr. Feeney:
       In title VIII, add at the end the following new section 
     (and amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 807. INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES.

       It is the sense of Congress that, since an estimated 25,000 
     asteroids of concern have yet to be discovered and monitored, 
     the United States should seek to obtain commitments for 
     cooperation from other nations with significant resources for 
     contributing to a thorough and timely search for such objects 
     and an identification of their characteristics.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Feeney) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, on behalf of this amendment, as 
Congressman Rohrabacher explained earlier, this amendment is a sense of 
the Congress provision stating the U.S. should seek to obtain 
commitments for cooperation from other nations in the search for near-
Earth objects.
  Mr. Rohrabacher has been an ardent advocate in our committee for the 
potential threat posed by asteroids and comets having orbits that bring 
them close to Earth and the devastation they could create should one of 
them impact us.
  By the way, I have sat through hearings, along with Congressman Udall 
and others, and we have incredibly sophisticated technology and 
capabilities one day to protect Earth if we know we are going to be 
targeted by an asteroid or comet, for example. In fact, the testimony 
was that some 99 percent of the resources today globally to prepare for 
this eventuality are American tax dollars. It seems seeking cooperation 
on behalf of all humankind only makes sense.
  Our committee held a highly informative set of hearings on near-Earth 
objects late last fall. It is clear to me that the entire world 
community needs to be much more vigilant in finding, tracking and 
characterizing near-Earth objects and developing deflection 
capabilities and technologies.
  I urge support for this amendment.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FEENEY. I will be glad to.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Let me just quickly add that our colleague 
and friend to both of us, Mr. Rohrabacher, has long been an advocate 
for the detection and monitoring of near-Earth objects. I don't know 
that anybody has done any more on that. I certainly commend this 
constructive amendment.
  Mr. FEENEY. Reclaiming my time just to close on behalf of Mr. 
Rohrabacher's amendment, he is a great advocate, but I felt more 
comfortable after I heard from a bevy of the world's best 
astrophysicists that this is not only a real threat, but a real 
potential way to solve a threat to humankind.
  With that, I would urge my colleagues to support the Rohrabacher 
amendment.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Madam Chairman, my amendment offered by Mr. Feeney 
encourages NASA to seek increased international cooperation to find and 
characterize all natural bodies in outer space over 140 meters in size 
that pass close to the Earth, referred to as near-Earth objects. 
Estimates of the total numbers of such objects vary from 25,000 to 
100,000. This threat to the Earth is a worldwide matter of potentially 
catastrophic proportions should a collision with Earth occur, and the 
responsibility of dealing with it should not fall entirely on the 
United States or NASA, in particular.
  The motivation and timing for this amendment arises from discussions 
with Russian and German government officials on furthering cooperation 
with the U.S. in science and technology that occurred during a CODEL 
that I attended over the Memorial Day recess.
  The specific suggestion to cooperate in the effort to find and 
characterize near-Earth objects was greeted with great enthusiasm by 
the government officials with whom I met during the CODEL.
  The initiative encouraged under my amendment is intended to provide 
relief for the enormous burden being placed on NASA to find and 
characterize the vast number of these objects estimated to exist. Many 
countries around the world have very capable astronomical observatories 
that can assist (and probably have to some extent).
  In addition to telescopes, deep space radars play a critical role in 
quickly authenticating any impending threats that may be indicated from 
optical observations. Though the United States

[[Page 12356]]

has the world's most capable deep space radar, namely the Arecibo 
Radar, and also the somewhat less capable Goldstone Radar, the Russian 
RT-70 Radar may be able to provide some contributions as well. 
Furthermore, certain large radio astronomy facilities around the world 
may be able to participate by pairing with these powerful U.S. deep 
space radars.
  Mr. FEENEY. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. Does any Member seek time in opposition?
  If not, the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Feeney).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                   Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Wu

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 3 offered by Mr. Wu:
       In section 401, insert at the end the following: ``When 
     appropriate, the United States should lead confidence 
     building measures that advance the long-term initiative for 
     international cooperation.''.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Wu) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to build 
international trust and confidence in human space flight.
  For decades, the United States and Russia were the only countries 
that had viable human space programs. In recent years, a number of 
countries have entered space or have expressed their intent to do so. 
This amendment recognizes the new playing field in space and includes a 
sense of Congress that the President of the United States should invite 
other spacefaring nations and soon-to-be spacefaring nations to 
participate in a long-term international initiative under our 
leadership.
  My amendment would add a sentence to this sense of Congress that the 
United States should engage in confidence-building measures that 
advance this long-term initiative. With more countries in space, we 
need to ensure that space will not be used for hostile purposes.
  I commend Chairman Udall for proposing a long-term international 
initiative that will work toward that end. Confidence-building measures 
will encourage short-term actions that advance the long-term initiative 
for international cooperation in space. The United States and Russia 
engaged in confidence-building measures when Apollo 18 and Soyuz 19 
connected in space. My amendment encourages similar actions between the 
United States and other members of the international space community. 
Actions like these will encourage the peaceful exploration of space.
  I urge adoption of the amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. FEENEY. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
  I do not rise in opposition to the amendment. I should say I have no 
objection to the amendment. I have read it very carefully, and I 
appreciate the language ``when appropriate.'' Of course, it would be 
the United States that determined, in my view, when international 
confidence-building measures would be appropriate.
  I should say there are times when, for example, sharing sensitive 
technologies with certain countries may be inappropriate, if we don't 
have confidence what they may use those technologies for or what their 
long-term intentions are. On the other hand, there are things we ought 
to clearly explore sharing with every spacefaring Nation; for example, 
a common docking device with the Shuttle, perhaps, so any nation in the 
event of emergency may be able to help rescue our astronauts.
  I should also suggest, as I talked about earlier, that space is 
developing. It is no longer a bipolar world. Historically, people have 
out of habit and out of practicality had to rely on asking the U.S. if 
they wanted to send a satellite, for example, into orbit, to see 
whether or not that satellite would safely orbit the Earth without 
colliding into another country's satellite. That is not true because of 
any international treaty or convention. Anybody can send anything into 
space. The truth is, in terms of space law, we have really sort of an 
international anarchy, just as originally when we with had travel by 
navy or by commerce through the seas and ultimately international air 
travel.
  There has to be some way to communicate ultimately in terms of 
maintaining space traffic. Stopping the creation of space junk or 
debris that would threaten all peacefaring uses of space would be 
another example of appropriate times the U.S. should lead in 
confidence-building measures to advance long-term initiatives for 
international cooperation.
  With that, again, I have no objection to the amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I urge adoption of this amendment and yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                   Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Wu

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 4 offered by Mr. Wu:
       In title XI, add at the end the following new section (and 
     amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 1109. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that NASA should not dilute, 
     distort, suppress, or impede scientific research or the 
     dissemination thereof.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Wu) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of scientific 
integrity at NASA and everywhere else in this Federal Government.
  Earlier this month, the Inspector General at NASA released a report 
regarding allegations that NASA suppressed climate change science and 
denied media access to a NASA scientist. As recent news reports have 
documented, this report came from the revelation in 2006 that an 
administration official had intervened in communications between 
climate change scientists and the press for political purposes.
  The report acknowledged that from the fall of 2004 through early 
2006, the NASA Public Affairs Office managed the topic of climate 
science ``in a manner that reduced, marginalized, or mischaracterized 
climate change science made available to the general public through 
those particular media over which the Office of Public Affairs had 
control.''
  The report also found that these actions were inconsistent with 
NASA's mandate and purpose to allow ``the widest practical and 
appropriate dissemination of information concerning NASA's activities 
and results.''
  My amendment expresses the sense of Congress to reiterate the 
original intent of NASA's responsibilities. We are at a singular moment 
in time when climate change constitutes the challenge of our 
generation. Let us not fail. Let us base climate change information on 
science, not ideology.
  This amendment is about far more than climate change. I believe 
scientific integrity should be held as a value throughout NASA and 
throughout our government. The safety of astronauts who are sent to 
space is dependent on sound science. We should not compromise 
scientific integrity for political gain or private profit. We should 
not compromise it in any situation. My amendment sends a message

[[Page 12357]]

that Congress rebuffs the attempts of those who would marginalize 
science for the sake of ideology or politics.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I rise in order to address the amendment, 
to claim the minority time.
  The CHAIRMAN. Is the gentleman opposed to the amendment?
  Mr. FEENEY. For purposes of debate, I may well be opposed, yes.
  The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I have carefully read the amendment, and 
while I may not press my objection, I will state that the amendment, in 
my view, is unnecessary, that NASA has a policy in place that goes to 
the very same points expressed in the amendment, and perhaps 
unintentionally this amendment implies that NASA cannot be trusted to 
factually in an unbiased manner publicize research results conducted by 
agency scientists.
  Several years ago, NASA's Public Affairs Office was accused with 
inappropriately choosing which NASA scientists participated in specific 
interviews with the press. Once this interference was brought to NASA 
Administrator Michael Griffin's attention, he quickly and forcefully 
intervened, assuring Congress, NASA researchers and employees, and the 
public that NASA will never seek to censor agency scientists.
  In a letter dated March 30, 2006, and this issue has been addressed 
over and over again, addressed to former Science Committee Chairman 
Sherry Boehlert, Mr. Griffin stated, ``I will not tolerate any policy 
or action where any NASA employee may filter, alter or censor 
scientific findings and facts, and I want to reaffirm that NASA has 
always been and will continue to be committed to open scientific and 
technical inquiry and dialogue with the public.''
  Mr. Griffin then formed a policy development team comprised of NASA 
employees with science, legal and public affairs backgrounds to review 
existing policies, identify ways to improve them, and develop agency 
practices to maintain NASA's commitment for full and open discourse on 
scientific, technical and safety issues. The result of their work was a 
series of revisions to 14 Code of Federal Regulations, section 1213, 
which guides the agency's public affairs policies, which all Americans 
can visit.
  Mr. Griffin then formed a policy development team comprised of NASA 
employees with science, legal and public affairs backgrounds to review 
existing policies, identify ways to improve them, and develop agency 
practices to maintain NASA's commitment for full and open discourse on 
scientific, technical and safety issues. The results of their work was 
a series of revisions to 14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), Section 
1213, which guides the agency's public affairs policies.
  More recently, the NASA Office of Inspector General concluded an 
investigation in response to a Congressional inquiry dating back to 
2006, requesting a formal investigation about ``political 
interference'' by NASA public affairs officials.
  The IG's investigation found that ``. . . during the fall of 2004 
through early 2006, the NASA Headquarters Office of Public Affairs 
managed the topic of climate change in a manner that reduced, 
marginalized, or mischaracterized climate change science made available 
to the general public through those particular media over which the 
Office of Public Affairs had control. We also concluded that the 
climate change editorial decisions were localized within the NASA 
Headquarters Office of Public Affairs; we found no credible evidence 
suggesting that senior NASA or Administration officials directed the 
NASA Headquarters Office of Public Affairs to minimize information 
related to climate change. To the contrary, we found that once NASA 
leadership within the Office of the Administrator were made aware of 
the scope of the conflict between the Office of Public Affairs and 
scientists working on climate change, they aggressively implemented new 
policies with a view toward improved processes in editorial decision-
making relating to scientific public affairs matters.''
  The IG's report also stated: ``With respect to NASA's climate change 
research activities, we found no evidence indicating that NASA blocked 
or interfered with the actual research activities of its climate change 
scientists . . . (W)e found that NASA systematically distributed its 
technical climate change research throughout the scientific community 
and otherwise made it available through a variety of specialized 
forums, such as scientific journals, professional conferences, and 
public appearances by NASA scientists.''
  Additionally, a May 2007 GAO report found ``that NASA policies are 
generally clear and should help facilitate the dissemination of 
research results. For example, NASA's recently revised media policy 
clearly defines the roles and responsibilities for managers, 
researchers, and public affairs staff; details steps in the process for 
dissemination via press releases and interviews; and describes a 
process to resolve disputes about agency decisions regarding press 
releases.''
  In closing, while I have no objection to the gentleman's (Mr. Wu) 
amendment, I don't want Members to surmise that NASA science findings 
are being manipulated by agency management. That is not what the NASA 
IG, or GAO reports found.
  Madam Chairman, I don't specifically object to the language of this 
amendment, because I think it is consistent with NASA policy and 
Michael Griffin's great efforts to explain to the public that he will 
insist and has insisted on this policy. But I will remind all of us 
that a May 2007 GAO report found ``NASA policies are generally clear 
and should help facilitate the dissemination of research results. For 
example, NASA's recently revised media policy clearly defines the roles 
and responsibilities for managers, researchers, and public affairs 
staff, details steps in the process for dissemination of press releases 
and interviews, and describes a process to resolve disputes about 
agency decisions regarding press releases.''
  In closing, while I do not object to Mr. Wu's amendment, I don't want 
Members to surmise that NASA science findings are being manipulated by 
current agency management. That is not what NASA, IG, or GAO reports 
found.
  Again, we have no objection to the language that Mr. Wu offers.
  Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the 
Space Subcommittee, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall).
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. I thank the gentleman from Oregon for yielding 
and thank him for his leadership on the committee.
  I rise in support of this amendment on scientific integrity and 
openness at NASA. I want to commend the gentleman from Oregon for his 
action that we stay vigilant on this matter.
  A few years ago, concerns were raised about political interference in 
the discussion of scientific research and results by NASA scientists. 
These concerns about scientific openness were and are serious, and we 
need to ensure that all measures are in place to prevent such 
interference.
  It is true that the NASA Administrator, Dr. Griffin, took swift 
action in response to the reports of political interference and NASA 
revised the agency policy on the release of information of news and 
media, and I want to commend Dr. Griffin on his clear commitment to 
scientific openness. That said, we need to continue, Madam Chairman, 
our oversight on scientific integrity to ensure that Americans continue 
to have confidence in the important scientific research results that 
NASA provides to all of us and to our Nation.
  So I again want to thank the gentleman from Oregon for his 
initiative, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I would like to submit a letter from 
Francesca T. Grifo, Senior Scientist and Director, Scientific Integrity 
Program, Union of Concerned Scientists into the Congressional Record.


[[Page 12358]]




                                Union of Concerned Scientists,

                                                    June 11, 2008.
     Hon. David Wu,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Wu: The Scientific Integrity Program of 
     the Union of Concerned Scientists supports your amendment to 
     H.R. 6063, the NASA Authorization Act. This amendment will 
     make clear that Congress intends that scientific research 
     developed at NASA be free of political interference, and that 
     NASA scientists are able to disseminate their findings 
     without fear of retaliation.
       We know that the problem of political interference in 
     federal science is a widespread and serious one. Indeed, of 
     the nearly 3,400 federal scientists across nine agencies who 
     have responded to questionnaires by the Union of Concerned 
     Scientists, more than 1,100 scientists report that they fear 
     retaliation for openly expressing concerns about their 
     agency's mission-driven work.
       Your amendment will send a signal to this Administration 
     and future Administrations that this state of affairs cannot 
     and should not continue.
           Sincerely,

                                           Francesca T. Grifo,

                                    Senior Scientist and Director,
                                     Scientific Integrity Program.

  I think that we need to be concerned about scientific integrity at 
NASA always, and we also need to be concerned about scientific 
integrity at other agencies, whether it's the EPA or the FDA, 
throughout the Federal Government. We intend to work on those agencies 
across the spectrum to ensure that ideology does not overtake sound 
science as this government moves forward towards research and the 
development of sound policy.
  Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Lampson

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. Lampson:
       In title XI, add at the end the following new section (and 
     amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 1109. EXCEPTION TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROCUREMENT 
                   REQUIREMENT.

       Section 526(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act 
     of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17142(a)) does not prohibit NASA from 
     entering into a contract to purchase a generally available 
     fuel that is not an alternative or synthetic fuel or 
     predominantly produced from a nonconventional petroleum 
     source, if--
       (1) the contract does not specifically require the 
     contractor to provide an alternative or synthetic fuel or 
     fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source;
       (2) the purpose of the contract is not to obtain an 
     alternative or synthetic fuel or fuel from a nonconventional 
     petroleum source; and
       (3) the contract does not provide incentives for a refinery 
     upgrade or expansion to allow a refinery to use or increase 
     its use of fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Lampson) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Today I rise in support of my amendment to the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. This amendment 
would clarify section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act, 
which addresses the procurement of fuels by a Federal agency. This 
amendment seeks to provide guidance for implementation of the provision 
by establishing conditions by which NASA would be allowed to enter into 
a contract to purchase a generally available fuel, so long as it is not 
predominantly an alternative or synthetic fuel.
  Because section 526 doesn't define alternative or synthetic fuel or 
nonconventional petroleum sources, many stakeholders, including 
refiners in southeast Texas, believe that section 526 could have 
unintended consequences, preventing refiners from mixing fuel received 
from nonconventional sources such as oil sands with conventionally 
derived oil.
  Oil sands account for about 5 percent of the total U.S. oil supply, 
and it's common practice to mix it with fuel that is derived from other 
sources. It's very difficult for an end user and consumer to determine 
whether a fuel contains petroleum from oil sands or other 
nonconventional sources.
  With half of Canadian crude produced from these sources, this could 
have an adverse effect on the relationship that we enjoy with our 
largest supplier of oil. Additionally, most diesel fuel is mixed with 
some biodiesel, which could also mean that its procurement could be 
prohibited under this section. While the intention of this language may 
not have been to prohibit the purchase of fuel, the small amounts from 
tar sands or oil shale, section 526 is written so broadly, with no 
definition provided, that it could be interpreted either way. That's 
why a clarification is needed.
  I know that our colleague, Congressman Gingrey, made a proposal the 
other day in committee. I viewed the proposal that we have come up with 
here as a compromise to that suggestion.
  Adoption of this amendment will allow NASA to contract for generally 
available fuels, as it always, has as long as the fuel is not 
predominantly comprised of petroleum from nonconventional sources such 
as Canadian oil sands with a greenhouse gas footprint that is higher 
than conventional oils and fuels. This allows some wiggle room and 
recognizes the complexities of the refining process while supporting 
the original intent of not extending or exceeding current emission 
levels.
  Finally, I would like to note that when the House passed the FY09 
defense authorization act last month, a similar amendment was approved 
by this committee and accepted by voice vote on the floor. While that 
amendment had a government-wide application, this seeks to clarify 
section 526 in order to allow NASA to meet present and future energy 
needs.
  Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GINGREY. Madam Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to 
the amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Georgia is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY. Madam Chairman, I have a number of concerns with the 
amendment offered by my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas, 
my colleague on the Science Committee.
  Unfortunately, I do not believe that this amendment does anything to 
alleviate the Draconian problems presented to us by section 526 of the 
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
  Even if this amendment passes, Americans will still not be able to 
increase the supply of fuels from alternative sources derived from 
resources available in the United States. Oil shale, with its estimated 
1.5 trillion barrels of petroleum in rock, would remain trapped there 
in our southwestern States, I think five States have a lot of this oil 
shale that's there for the taking. We, furthermore, will not be able to 
use clean carbon captured coal-to-liquid fuel.
  So the amendment intends to create an exception under section 526 for 
generally available fuel not predominantly produced from a 
nonconventional petroleum source, and NASA, under the amendment, will 
still be able to purchase Canadian fuels that do have traces of oil 
sands, as the gentleman says, that may create more of a carbon 
footprint than completely conventional fuel. And this is what basically 
section 526 is. As the gentleman explained, he is trying to allow an 
exception so that this fuel that we purchase from Canada, a lot of 
people think most of our foreign sources of fuel are from OPEC or 
Venezuela, but actually, Madam Chairman, they are from Canada. Some of 
this fuel does have the tar sands footprint in it.
  The gentleman, and I have no objection to that, is saying let us 
continue to purchase this fuel and not be restricted by 526. Yet my 
opposition is this, the agency won't be able to utilize any of the 
sources of fuel that may be totally derived from resources we have

[[Page 12359]]

readily available in the good-old USA, clean domestic alternatives, 
coal, natural gas, biomass and, as I mentioned, oil shale that is 
estimated to have 1.5 trillion barrels of petroleum that can be 
extracted from that in our own country.
  At committee markup, Science Committee and at the Rules Committee, I 
offered amendments that would have removed the handcuffs placed on the 
NASA administrator by section 526. I would have been happy to work with 
my good friend from Texas to protect his amendment so that 
implementation of it would have, indeed, a positive effect for NASA. 
Unfortunately, I just don't think the amendment does much of anything.
  I fear that the amendment does nothing to rectify, as I said, the 
underlying problem with 526 that prevents the Federal Government, any 
agency of the Federal Government, not just NASA, but also the 
Department of Defense, which utilizes something like 380,000 barrels of 
refined petroleum products every day, every day, and the increased cost 
to the Department of Defense is $9 billion. Just the increase in the 
year 2008, the increased fuel cost to NASA over the last 5 years has 
been 400 percent. It has gone from $4.5 million a year to $18.3 million 
a year.
  Our efforts should be focused on easing the pain felt by American 
taxpayers, not codifying this misguided policy, 526, that prevents us 
from future innovation. Again, the gentleman's amendment, in my 
opinion, does no harm, but it does very little good.
  I felt compelled to stand and express my opposition--not strong 
opposition to the amendment--but rather to make this point that we need 
to allow the administrator of NASA to have a waiver, at least have a 
waiver if, in his knowledge of innovation and what they are doing in 
trying to develop alternative fuels that are available in this country, 
he would not be bound by the crazy restrictions put on him and other 
agencies by section 526 of this so-called Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 passed 17 months ago. Since that time the price of 
a gallon of regular gasoline has gone up by $1.70, up to over $4.05 a 
gallon.
  I respectfully oppose the gentleman's amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from Georgia has expired.
  Mr. LAMPSON. I yield myself 1 minute, Madam Chairman.
  I agree with much of what Mr. Gingrey has said. I want to point out 
that the intent of the law, as passed, the Energy Independence and 
Security Act, specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, 
which are higher, oftentimes, in these oil sales, is what was intended 
to be prohibited.
  If we were using, or NASA were purchasing all of their fuel for their 
operation, then it would not fall within the bounds of this act. But 
NASA can purchase generally available fuels that may include a blend of 
fuel from oil sands refined in existing commercial processes. The 
purpose of the contract can't be to obtain fuels from nonconventional 
petroleum sources or otherwise promote the expansion of nonconventional 
fuels with high life-cycle carbon emissions. We believe that the 
refiners within my district that are making many of the fuels that are 
actually being purchased by NASA will use some of these nonconventional 
sources of energy.
  As it's blended, it can still be used by NASA so that there is some 
benefit to them.
  Mr. FEENEY. Would the gentleman yield for a question?
  Mr. LAMPSON. I would yield for a few seconds, yes.
  Mr. FEENEY. I don't know whether, candidly, I support or oppose the 
amendment, because it has some very technical effects in its interplay 
with other portions of Federal statutes and requirements and 
regulation.
  Just one of the many questions I have would be that it seems, as I 
read the amendment, that it establishes different conditions on 
contracting fuel versus those established in section 526. So I guess 
one of my questions, maybe the most important, since we don't have a 
lot of time, do the conditions in your amendment supplant the 
greenhouse gas emission criteria found in 526, or do they remain in 
effect, and are these conditions in addition to the 526 regulations?
  Mr. LAMPSON. They remain in effect, but this just clarifies what the 
intent of the legislation was and is. It's going to allow blends of 
those fuels to be used by NASA until we can do the research that shows 
that emissions are going to be reduced below the amount of emissions 
from traditional fuels.
  Mr. FEENEY. If the gentleman will yield.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Am I within my 1 minute, Madam Chairman? Have I used up 
my minute yet, and how much time do I have left before I say that I 
will yield?
  The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman is recognized for just 1 minute. The 
gentleman has 1 minute remaining.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Would you use your time, please?
  Mr. FEENEY. If I have any. I don't know that we have any more time.
  Could I ask unanimous consent that each side have an additional 2 
minutes?
  The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from 
Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LAMPSON. I yield to the gentleman.
  Mr. FEENEY. Actually if I could suggest, rather than taking up your 2 
minutes, I would be grateful if you yielded, but I will yield back to 
you and claim my own 2 minutes so that you can use yours since you were 
gracious enough not to object.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Then I will reserve my time and let the gentleman 
proceed.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Chair would like to clarify that it is the 
gentleman from Georgia who has the 2 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY. Madam Chairman, thank you very much.
  I very graciously at this time will yield to the subcommittee ranking 
member of the NASA Subcommittee of Science and Technology, my good 
friend from Florida (Mr. Feeney).

                              {time}  1645

  Mr. FEENEY. I thank the gentleman.
  This amendment may be very positive. The problem is that it conflicts 
with other statutes and regulations. It is very complicated as we read 
it.
  What my friend says is a clarifying amendment actually creates a lot 
more ambiguity in our minds about the interplay of these different 
standards.
  I talked about the interplay with 526, and I still don't know which 
set of rules will govern, the set of rules in the gentleman's amendment 
or section 526.
  We also seem to cite a section of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 17142. There is currently no section 526(a) nor 
a 42 U.S.C. 17142(a) in the law, and yet I believe the gentleman's 
amendment cites these sections, as I read it, that do not exist in 
current law.
  I have a concern about the amendment's intention. Do you want to 
create an exemption under 526 for generally available fuel that is not 
predominantly produced from a nonconventional petroleum source, or does 
it create a broader exemption for all alternative or synthetic fuels as 
referenced in section 526?
  So I guess I have a number of very complex questions. I wish this is 
something we might have dealt with in committee where we have a number 
of experts, both members and staff. While I don't know that I object, 
it is because I just don't understand all of the different regulations 
and statutes and the interplay, and this seems to be one more 
additional attempt at dealing with whether NASA can or can't do things, 
and I really have no idea whether this is in addition to, or whether it 
is consistent with, or whether it may be mutually exclusive with 
provisions in other portions of the law, and I wish we could spend some 
time with technical staff to iron out these difficulties.
  With that, having expressed concern and not necessarily opposing the 
amendment because I don't really understand all of the ways it will be 
enforced given other statutes and regulations.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Would the gentleman yield?

[[Page 12360]]


  Mr. FEENEY. I would be happy to yield to the chairman.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Let me just suggest that this is one more 
process in getting a law enacted. The Senate will pass a bill, and we 
will go to conference. I am sure Mr. Lampson can answer very well here, 
but this can be a continuing dialogue as we move forward.
  Mr. FEENEY. We appreciate that. Having said that, on a technical 
issue like this, it sure would have been great to take a more technical 
look at this at the subcommittee or committee level. Having said that, 
I appreciate the chairman's gracious offer to help clarify for those of 
us who think more ambiguity, not less, is being created by this 
amendment, and what the ultimate impact will be.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to Chairman Udall.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Chairman, I am pleased to support this 
amendment.
  This amendment is similar to the Boren amendment offered to the 
defense authorization package recently. That amendment passed with a 
voice vote on the floor.
  This amendment as well seeks to clarify requirements of section 526 
of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to allow NASA to 
procure conventional fuels that contain incidental amounts of 
unconventional fuels.
  Section 526, Madam Chairman, is important because it establishes a 
positive benchmark for future alternative fuels, that their lifecycle 
greenhouse gas emissions be less than or equal to those emissions from 
conventional fuels.
  The amendment clarifies section 526 while retaining the standard it 
sets for greenhouse gas emissions.
  I want to thank the Member from Texas for bringing this important 
amendment and urge all Members to support the amendment.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Chairman, I just recognize in closing that this is 
not a complicated piece of legislation. It is one that does not stop 
these fuels from being produced or the research and development on 
these types of sources of energy. It allows NASA to continue to 
purchase the kinds of fuels without restrictions and without putting 
themselves into the jeopardy that is asked for within section 526. So 
it is a simple amendment that was voice voted in the defense 
authorization, and we believe it should be here as well as the bill 
came out of committee.
  Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson).
  The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings 
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas will be postponed.


                 Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Arcuri

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. ARCURI. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 6 offered by Mr. Arcuri:
       In section 407(a), add at the end the following: ``As part 
     of the technology plan, the Administrator shall examine the 
     feasibility of having NASA enter into contracts with 
     appropriate public, private sector, and international 
     partners to broadcast electronically, including via the 
     Internet, images and multimedia records delivered from its 
     missions in space to the public and shall identify issues 
     associated with such contracts. In any such contracts, NASA 
     would be required to adhere to a transparent bidding process 
     to award contracts, pursuant to United States law.''.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Arcuri) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. ARCURI. Madam Chair, NASA's accomplishments over the years have 
led to some of the greatest advances in human history. These scientific 
discoveries have led to everything from prolonging the average life 
span to improving the overall quality of life. NASA's research and 
exploration has also helped to unlock some of the greatest mysteries in 
the universe. The problem, however, is that too often the American 
public doesn't have an opportunity to fully experience NASA's 
accomplishments. It is when these accomplishments are transferred from 
the Federal sector to the private sector and the general public that 
the true benefits of what has been achieved can be realized.
  Clearly, we don't have the ability or the financial means to shuttle 
every American into space, but we can do a better job of bringing the 
space experience into televisions, computers, and classrooms around the 
world.
  The House Science and Technology Committee, under the leadership of 
Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall and Chairman Udall, recognize 
that point. The underlying bill includes language directing the NASA 
administrator to develop a technology plan that will allow the general 
public to experience missions to the Moon, Mars and other destinations 
in our solar system.
  My amendment aims to take this effort and expand it in a way that 
leverages existing technology underway at our universities and high-
tech businesses.
  Specifically, my amendment tasks NASA to examine the feasibility of 
entering into contracts with appropriate public-private sector and 
international partners to share images and video of space missions with 
the public. The amendment promotes good government by requiring NASA to 
engage in a transparent bidding process when awarding contracts as it 
sees fit.
  This new chapter in scientific discovery presents a valuable 
opportunity to engage public and private sectors in advancing NASA's 
mission for the 21st century. My upstate New York district is fast 
becoming a science and technology hub. We have an opening here to work 
together with colleges and universities, private research facilities, 
and small and large high-tech businesses to provide NASA with the tools 
it needs to better educate the public about space.
  I would like to highlight that this amendment is intended to provide 
NASA with an additional resource to meet its goals. This measure would 
authorize NASA to conduct its own feasibility study to determine if and 
how it can best use the talents of our independent innovators to 
support its new international exploration initiative. This requirement 
would grant NASA the flexibility it needs to create a plan that best 
fits the ideas of its new program.
  This amendment would also require all NASA contract decisions to be 
awarded following a fair and transparent bidding process.
  This amendment has the backing of the State University of New York, 
the New York State section of the American Physical Society, the 
American Association of Geographers and the Information Technology 
Association of America. I respectfully urge all of my colleagues to 
support this amendment and support the contributions that our public 
and private universities and businesses make to scientific and 
technological progress in this country.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I rise, at least for purposes of debate, 
to be recognized in opposition.
  The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FEENEY. I appreciate the gentleman's amendment. I think it is 
very well-intentioned. I do not intend to object to the language. I do 
believe it is designed to help NASA distribute its space images and 
multimedia records to the public. I share that goal; but I should say 
that I think this amendment is superfluous. I think it is already 
contained in the bill language itself. Now superfluity is not 
necessarily an awful thing. Sometimes the best thing we do here is just 
to repeat what we have already done, and it probably does very little 
harm.

[[Page 12361]]

  But I would point out that section 407 clearly instructs NASA to 
develop a plan, to identify opportunities to leverage the very same 
technologies Mr. Arcuri references in his amendment.
  The gentleman's amendment seeks NASA to develop a plan and examine 
the feasibility to ``broadcast electronically, including via the 
Internet.'' The language in the bill talks about already ``rapidly 
delivering the content through extended high bandwidth communications 
networks.''
  So I think Mr. Arcuri's concerns are already adequately addressed in 
the bill. I would simply argue that they are unnecessary. Having said 
that, I would not object to them being included.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ARCURI. I thank the gentleman for his comments. I would just 
point out what this amendment does is it attempts to get the private 
sector more engaged by promoting within NASA the push to transfer not 
from the public sector, not to just have this go from the public sector 
to the universities, but from the public sector to the private sector, 
to get the private sector more engaged and more involved in 
distributing the information. So that is slightly different than what I 
think the bill has because we do attempt to get the private sector more 
engaged. After all, that is probably the best way, by using the market 
system, to get the information out.
  Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I appreciate and I don't dispute the 
intentions that the gentleman has. I agree with that, and I believe 
that the current language in the bill requires NASA to rapidly deliver 
this content that you are talking about through high bandwidth 
communications networks, and I think that includes universities in the 
private sector, et cetera.
  Having said that, because the intent of the language clearly is not 
something I object to, I will not oppose the amendment.
  Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                   Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. Wu

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. WU. Madam Chairman, I rise on behalf of my friend and colleague, 
Mr. DeFazio of Oregon, who has an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 7 offered by Mr. Wu:
       In title IV, add at the end the following new section (and 
     amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 409. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE REPORT UPDATE.

       Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Congressional Budget Office shall update its report 
     from 2004 on the budgetary analysis of NASA's Vision for the 
     Nation's Space Exploration Program, including new estimates 
     for Project Constellation, NASA's new generation of 
     spacecraft designed for human spaceflight that will replace 
     the Space Shuttle program.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Wu) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
  Mr. WU. Again, on behalf of my good friend and colleague, Mr. 
DeFazio, I am presenting this amendment.
  When the President announced his new vision for the Nation's space 
exploration program on January 14, 2004, he proposed a new human 
exploration vehicle to return to the Moon by 2020 and to leverage these 
lunar efforts to send a human mission to Mars.
  After Mr. Bush unveiled his plan in 2004, a congressional 
subcommittee requested that the Congressional Budget Office perform a 
budgetary analysis of NASA's New Vision For Space Exploration, as this 
program was titled. The report was released in September of 2004 and 
concluded that NASA's long-term projections only included a 2 percent 
increase for inflation.
  NASA's budget has undergone radical changes since the President's 
vision was announced in 2004. NASA's budget requests for aeronautics 
has been reduced by over $200 million. NASA's budget requests for 
science programs, including climate research, have been reduced by over 
$300 million. In stark contrast during the same period, overall funding 
requests for NASA have increased by over $2 billion.
  Since the President first proposed his new ``vision for space 
exploration,'' we have spent more than $600 billion in Iraq, over $120 
billion on Hurricane Katrina, and the Federal deficit has grown by over 
$2.4 trillion.
  Mr. DeFazio's amendment will direct the Congressional Budget Office 
to update its 2004 budgetary analysis of the President's plan. This 
makes fiscal sense. It will give us a more complete picture of the 
budgetary hurdles the project will face and a more accurate assessment 
of its long-term costs.

                              {time}  1700

  Congress needs to continue to analyze the project as it moves forward 
and be mindful of its effect on other important NASA programs. If 
anyone claims that they believe that the report will be duplicative of 
previous GAO reports, the fact is that GAO hasn't done a true cost 
estimate of the program, but, rather, done risk assessments of the 
program. Budget and cost estimate analysis is something that the 
Congressional Budget Office usually handles, not the Government 
Accountability Office.
  The GAO has done some high level budget analysis, but CBO will be 
able to give a much more detailed report. On Mr. DeFazio's behalf, I 
urge adoption of his amendment, and reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, 
although I am not necessarily in opposition to the amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the gentleman from Florida is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FEENEY. I think all of us want to know the cost of every 
government project. That certainly includes Constellation.
  As Mr. Wu pointed out, on behalf of Mr. DeFazio, the GAO just gave us 
a very comprehensive report. We had a full hearing on the matter of the 
progress of the Constellation program.
  I can tell you that there are some 56 annual reports that NASA has to 
give to Congress, and dozens of others that it has to give to other 
agencies, regulatory agencies and other governmental agencies. This is 
not a request that NASA add to their 100 or 150 reports an additional 
report. It's asking CBO to take an outside look. And I'm never opposed 
to transparency in government, especially cost.
  I should point out that the amendment singles out Project 
Constellation for particular scrutiny. Project Constellation is our 
follow up to the Space Shuttle Human Space Flight Program which is 
clearly a top priority for NASA, and has been established in this 
Congress as a top priority.
  The shuttle will be retired roughly at the end of this decade. 
Without Constellation, NASA will have no choice but to buy assets from 
other nations if we intend to maintain access to our own international 
space station.
  We're going to be dependent on the Russians right now under a very 
bad plan, but the only plan we have for 5 years. Without Constellation, 
all hopes of accessing, through American capabilities, the 
international space station or venturing the moon or other planets or 
asteroids will simply disappear.
  Not all of our colleagues pay as much attention as those of us that 
are on the floor here today to space. I think one of our colleagues 
recently suggested that the first manned lunar outpost in space be 
named after Neil Armstrong, the great first American ever on the Moon.
  My question, in response, was why would the Chinese, who are going to 
get back to the Moon before us, give us permission to name their lunar 
outpost after an American? We've got to remind our colleagues that this 
is now an internationally competitive environment in more ways than 
one.
  Constellation is a technology-driven program that will achieve its 
initial

[[Page 12362]]

operational capability roughly in the Year 2015, hopefully earlier. 
NASA has worked hard to maintain their schedule. They give us reports 
every day. We had a GAO report.
  Having said that, if the gentleman feels compelled to support the 
DeFazio amendment, and we have one additional report on the budgetary 
status, I don't have any objection to transparency in government. But 
at some point you're doing so many reports that it's hard to send 
people back to the moon if you're doing 150 or 200 reports for Congress 
and other agencies and spending all your time filling out paperwork.
  These are really bright engineers. I want to get into the business of 
flying rockets and not doing more paperwork.
  With that, I would yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WU. Well, I certainly hope that Americans return to the Moon 
before anyone else.
  I would point out to my friend and colleague from Florida, that we 
have named a number of things after Columbus, and well, he wasn't 
exactly an American. So, you know, you never know how far the 
generosity of spirit will go.
  My good friend and colleague from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) has, with his 
usual vigor, many reasons why a Congressional Budget Office report is 
appropriate under these circumstances. I have not delivered some of 
those more pointed arguments, and join with the gentleman from Florida 
to urge adoption of this amendment for both purposes of fiscal prudence 
and in the interest of our space program in which we have such a strong 
common interest.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 8 Offered by Ms. Harman

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk which you 
have just identified, and I rise in support of the amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 8 offered by Ms. Harman:
       In title XI, add at the end the following new section (and 
     amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 1109. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE NEED FOR A ROBUST 
                   WORKFORCE.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) a robust and highly skilled workforce is critical to 
     the success of NASA's programs;
       (2) voluntary attrition, the retirement of many senior 
     workers, and difficulties in recruiting could leave NASA 
     without access to the intellectual capital necessary to 
     compete with its global competitors; and
       (3) NASA should work cooperatively with other agencies of 
     the United States Government responsible for programs related 
     to space and the aerospace industry to develop and implement 
     policies, including those with an emphasis on improving 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education 
     at all levels, to sustain and expand the diverse workforce 
     available to NASA.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Harman) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the Harman-Ehlers 
amendment and the underlying authorizing legislation.
  Madam Chairman, I represent the heart of the aerospace industrial 
base, and have long called my district the ``satellite center of the 
universe.''
  I have always been mindful of the need for a skilled and diverse 
industrial base. Simply put, rocket scientists don't grow on trees.
  Earlier this year, on a visit to a major aerospace firm in my 
district there was a stark reminder of the crisis facing that industry. 
Following a briefing on an important satellite program, I asked if any 
the employees in attendance had anything else to tell me. A 31-year old 
engineer raised his hand and said, ``all my peers are gone.'' Engineers 
his age, he explained, are leaving the aerospace industry for other 
fields, and very few are interested in taking their place.
  The problem is twofold. More than 60 percent of the aerospace 
industry workers are over 45, and 26 percent of them are eligible for 
retirement in 2008. And, as a Nation, we have failed to inspire our 
kids, particularly girls, to go into STEM fields, science, technology, 
engineering and math.
  There just isn't a pool of qualified workers for NASA and others to 
draw from. The result is a looming demographic cliff that leaves NASA 
and the industry without the intellectual capital necessary to keep 
pace with global competitors.
  But the problem extends beyond NASA. The United States depends on 
this industrial base to give us the capabilities on the ground, in the 
air and in space that are essential to the way we wage war, collect 
intelligence and protect our homeland. This looming workforce shortfall 
could cripple not only NASA's ability to reach its goals, it could deal 
a serious blow to our national and our economic security.
  The Harman-Ehlers amendment expresses the sense of Congress that a 
skilled workforce is essential to NASA's success, and that NASA should 
work cooperatively with other government agencies to sustain and expand 
a diverse workforce.
  Madam Chairman, almost 50 years ago President Kennedy inspired a 
whole generation of Americans. American talent and ingenuity put a 
person on the moon in a decade. We need that kind of ambitious goal to 
inspire the next generation to be scientists, engineers and astronauts.
  If we fail to dream big, to ask our kids to imagine a future beyond 
our humble planet, they will pursue other fields. There will be no one 
to invent the technologies and programs on which NASA's success and our 
national security depend. That future, Madam Chairman, is unacceptable.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote for the Harman-Ehlers amendment, and would 
like to thank my coauthor, Vern Ehlers, a senior member of the Science 
Committee, who did seminal work in this field, is a true leader in this 
field, and a valued partner.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, 
although I am not necessarily in opposition to the amendment.
  The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the gentleman from Florida is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, not only am I not in opposition, but I 
wholeheartedly and enthusiastically endorse the Harman-Ehlers 
amendment. And I should point out as she mentions the trouble in 
getting new people into the workforce and an aging and retiring 
workforce. By the way, one of those young engineers that works in the 
space field is my wife, and she remains eternally young. But she's the 
exception.
  I've talked extensively about the competition, both civilian and 
commercial, coming from China. I can tell you that I recently visited 
CASC, which is the Chinese Civilian and Commercial Space Agency. They 
have 160,000 employees. About half of those are dedicated to space. And 
we asked the question, what the average age, because we were startled 
by the engineering manager that addressed us on their program, what the 
average age of the managers were in the Engineering Department. The 
average age of the managers was 40. We were stunned.
  We asked, what's the average age of your engineers that are doing 
space work. And the answer is 30.
  Madam Chairman, nothing could be more important to science and 
technology.
  And with that, I want to yield the balance of my time, to, as the 
gentlelady said, a great advocate for science and space and technology, 
and for young people getting into these fields, Mr. Ehlers.
  Mr. EHLERS. As has been stated, this is a labor of love for me for 
many years. But a few years ago I began noticing or realizing that we 
were approaching a major inflection point that we should be worried 
about.
  As you heard from the principal author of this amendment, that it was 
in

[[Page 12363]]

the 1960s that John Kennedy asked for us to go to the moon, proposed 
this advanced and wild notion, and that inspired a whole generation of 
Americans to become involved in aerospace.
  Those individuals are now retiring. And because we hired so many in 
NASA at one time, they are all retiring at about the same time, which 
is going to leave us bereft of talent if we don't take action.
  Because of this, 2 years I introduced a bill which was passed which 
established an interagency aerospace revitalization task force within 
the Federal Government. I would have liked to have it be more broad, 
but I couldn't persuade my colleagues to make that giant leap at that 
point.
  But since then that task force which involves, I believe, 17 
different Government agencies has worked together. The 2008 report of 
the Interagency Aerospace Revitalization Task Force was released 
earlier this year. I spoke at the release. And I was astounded at the 
number of people in the room. It was a local hotel. The room was 
overflowing with people concerned about aerospace employment and how we 
keep the aerospace effort going.
  This amendment is intended to reinforce what we've talked about for 
the past 2 years, but it does something very important. As I mentioned, 
my bill simply addressed the interagency governmental work. But we also 
have to involve universities. We have to get students excited about 
aerospace again, and that's what this amendment will do. It will 
require that NASA reaches out beyond Government agencies, beyond its 
own boundaries and work with everyone possible to improve STEM 
education in America, get the young people of today excited about the 
opportunities in science, particularly in space.
  So I thank the gentlewoman from California for initiating this 
amendment. I believe it's going to be very, very important to the 
future of NASA and for the future of our country, because if we don't 
get our kids back into math and science education, we are going to 
become a second-rate Nation.
  Twenty years ago the nation of China and the nation of India both 
decided that their economic futures lay in developing highly skilled 
workers who understood mathematics and science. It worked, and they 
have gone ahead with leaps and bounds, while our students are still 
mired where they were 20 years ago.
  At all levels, from kindergarten on up, we have it take note of that 
and we have to do a much better job of teaching our children 
mathematics and science, not just for the sake of NASA, although that's 
very important, but for the sake of our Nation if we wish to remain 
competitive with other countries.
  I will reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. HARMAN. I am prepared to yield the balance of my time. I'm 
inquiring whether I'm the last speaker or Mr. Ehlers is the last 
speaker.
  The CHAIRMAN. The gentlewoman has 2\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. EHLERS. I will be pleased to yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Chairman, in closing the debate on this amendment, 
I would just observe that during my first two terms in Congress, in the 
last century, I served on the Science Committee. It's a great 
committee. And I commend the current chairman, Mr. Gordon, for enormous 
leadership. He is fast and swift, and on his game. And this is probably 
the most important work we will do for our children and grandchildren. 
And as a grandmother of three, I want one of those children, like Mr. 
Feeney's wife, to want to be an aerospace worker.

                              {time}  1715

  I hope that one of them chooses that occupation. I hope it's there 
for them.
  This amendment, the Harman-Ehlers amendment, is our effort to keep 
this potential alive, to make sure that our best and brightest kids 
want to do this work, and then that hopefully our dreams remain big and 
putting a person on the moon is just a first step to surveying the 
heavens in ways we can't even imagine.
  So on behalf of dreamers, on behalf of an extraordinary industrial 
base, much of it in California's 36th Congressional District, and on 
behalf of three little grandchildren whom I love dearly, I urge an 
``aye'' vote for the Harman-Ehlers amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman).
  The amendment was agreed to.


           Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mr. Gordon of Tennessee

  The CHAIRMAN. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 9 printed 
in House Report 110-707.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment 
on behalf of the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Braley) who was required to 
return to his district.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 9 offered by Mr. Gordon of Tennessee:
       In title II, add at the end the following new section (and 
     amend the table of contents accordingly):

     SEC. 208. TORNADOES.

       The Administrator shall ensure that NASA gives high 
     priority to those parts of its existing cooperative 
     activities with NOAA that are related to the study of 
     tornadoes, tornado-force winds, and other factors determined 
     to influence the development of tornadoes, with the goal of 
     improving the Nation's ability to predict tornado events. 
     Further, the Administrator shall examine whether there are 
     additional cooperative activities with NOAA that should be 
     undertaken in the area of tornado research.

  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 1257, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I also support this 
amendment, and I want to thank the gentleman from Iowa for his 
attention to the important issue of tornado research.
  Tornadoes and tornado-force winds present serious hazards to life and 
property in the United States. We've already had ample and tragic 
evidence in recent days of the devastation that can be wreaked by these 
terrible storms. We need to do all that we can to improve our 
understanding of tornadoes and learn how to better predict them.
  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has the lead 
responsibilities for addressing tornado-prediction issues. However, 
NASA has existing cooperative activities with NOAA that may contribute 
to greater progress in this effort. NASA's existing cooperative 
activities with NOAA on facilitating research and data sharing are 
important to improving our understanding of tornadoes. I agree with Mr. 
Braley that the work that NOAA and NASA are doing related to tornadoes 
needs to be given a high priority.
  That is the objective of this amendment. It is just common sense that 
we ensure that any relevant work that NASA and NOAA are collaborating 
on is given the attention and priority it needs to improve our Nation's 
ability to predict tornado events.
  I thank the gentleman from Iowa for his initiative for this 
amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FEENEY. Madam Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, 
although I'm not necessarily opposed.
  The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the gentleman from Florida is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FEENEY. This really is an amendment that we're enthusiastic 
about. NASA currently conducts weather research in cooperation with 
NOAA, although through the U.S. Weather Research Program, the 
gentleman's amendment emphasizes the importance of this research as we 
cope with predicting and dealing with the aftermath of violent weather 
systems.
  It's a terrific amendment, and with that, I would urge its support.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, 
the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall).

[[Page 12364]]


  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Chairman, I strongly support this 
amendment.
  Tornadoes cause an average of 54 fatalities and 1,500 injuries in the 
United States each year. Just last month in my home State of Colorado, 
tornadoes devastated the town of Windsor in Colorado destroying more 
than 100 homes and causing one death. Predicting tornado intensity and 
location is critical to protecting lives and property, and we must do 
all we can to improve our knowledge in this important area.
  I'm proud to say that the research at NOAA's Earth System Research 
Laboratory in my district, the Second District in Colorado, contributes 
to this better understanding and improved forecasts of tornadoes. This 
amendment will further involve NASA scientists and data in this 
important process.
  I would urge Members to support this amendment just like the chairman 
did.
  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of Congressman 
Braley's amendment and to express my deepest sympathies to all my 
fellow Iowans affected by the tornados that recently tore through Iowa. 
It is my hope the intense grief felt by those suffering from the sudden 
loss of a loved one will be lifted, even for a moment, by the prayers 
of hope from strangers.
  For those of us who have the privilege of living in America's 
heartland, severe weather is nothing new. Tornados are a seasonal 
reality we all live with. But, when disaster strikes and takes the 
lives of our friends and neighbors--we are never prepared to witness 
the power of Mother Nature and the tragedies she can leave in her wake.
  Through the tears and sense of disbelief, Iowans again have pulled 
together to help friends, family and strangers in need. Over the years, 
I have had the misfortune of viewing many communities damaged by 
storms. Earlier this week I toured the flood ravaged parts of my 
district. The scenes painted by wind and water are heartbreaking, but 
it never ceases to amaze me how quickly Iowans show their true mettle 
by bringing hope and strength to their towns.
  I know for many Members of Congress, tornados rarely, if ever, affect 
your communities. When you see the astonishing videos of storms and the 
aftermath, I ask that you take a moment and think about our first 
responders and the people who find themselves in need. We must take 
every step possible to prevent and prepare for disasters like the State 
of Iowa has experienced in recent weeks. This amendment will go a long 
way towards that important goal.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with Iowa and I urge my colleagues to 
support this amendment.
  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Chairman, I am in strong support of my 
amendment that will help improve our ability to forecast deadly 
tornadoes. I regret my absence today to speak and vote in favor of this 
amendment. However, I have had to return to Iowa due to major flooding 
in my district. I would like to thank Chairman Gordon for offering this 
amendment today in my absence.
  In the last three weeks, 12 people have lost their lives in Iowa due 
to tornadoes. On May 25, parts of my district in northeastern Iowa were 
hit by an EF-5 tornado with winds of up to 205 miles per hour. Eight 
people died, and over 70 people were injured due to this tornado, which 
was the strongest to hit Iowa in 32 years. Just yesterday, a tornado 
ripped through a Boy Scout camp in Harrison County killing 4 Boy Scouts 
and injuring 48 people. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Boy 
Scouts, their family members, friends and all those affected by this 
devastating tornado in western Iowa. I hope that all of those injured 
in the western Iowa tornado make a speedy recovery so that they can 
continue on with their lives.
  It is clear that the destruction caused by this tornado would have 
resulted in more injuries and lives lost had it not been for the 
warning sirens that went off before the tornado hit. Those warning 
sirens gave most people the time needed to evacuate and take shelter. 
However, this warning was, unfortunately, not enough to ensure the 
safety of every person in the path of these deadly storms.
  I'm offering this amendment today to ensure that NASA is actively 
pursuing research opportunities to accurately predict and forecast 
tornadoes. My amendment would require NASA to cooperatively work with 
the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, on tornado 
research. NOAA is actively involved in tornado research at its Storm 
Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, and coordination between these 
agencies could prove very beneficial. At the Prediction Center, NOAA is 
studying ways to improve the prediction and location of tornadoes.
  I believe that NASA has a lot of valuable technology and input to 
offer on the study of tornadoes. However, it seems that NASA has done 
very little work with NOAA on this important life saving research. My 
amendment will give NASA and NOAA the opportunity to find ways to work 
cooperatively on tornado research which will help us accurately predict 
these deadly storms.
  My amendment would also require NASA to make any existing 
cooperatives with NOAA on tornado research a high priority. In the 
past, NASA has proven that they have a lot to offer with tornado 
research. Their past work with NOAA on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring 
Mission satellite has shown us that sudden increases in lightning in 
strong super-cell thunderstorms can increase the chances of a tornado 
touchdown. NASA must commit more resources to this program and other 
programs dealing with tornado research. Committing more resources to 
already existing programs will help us accurately forecast tornado 
touchdown locations.
  I urge the House to adopt this amendment to give NASA a better 
opportunity to offer its technology and expertise in the area of 
tornado research, and to improve and provide additional resources to 
its already existing tornado research programs.
  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The CHAIRMAN. The Committee will rise informally.
  The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Yarmuth) assumed the chair.

                          ____________________