[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16358]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                  NASA

  (Mr. GRIFFITH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, over the last year, there has been a 
lively debate on the future of NASA's manned spaceflight program. The 
debate has largely focused on the role of commercial space and what 
direction the government programs should take. Those advising the Obama 
administration chose an approach with deep practical and technical 
flaws which has embarrassed the administration and brought resounding 
rebuke from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
  To quote Scott Pace speaking at a recent event, ``The 
administration's radical course abandoned the most precious and rare 
commodities for the U.S. space community--a bipartisan consensus.''
  This administration has directed NASA to ignore the spirit of last 
year's appropriations. Layoffs due to changes at NASA are taking place 
all over the country. These incredibly intelligent individuals 
represent a culture, not just a profession. They are literally rocket 
scientists, and they will disappear if we don't give them direction and 
firm funding.
  For this reason, it is absolutely imperative that we pass a new NASA 
authorization bill, providing NASA and the Obama administration with 
firmer guidance.

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