[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11146]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




THE INTRODUCTION OF ``THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 
                      AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2013''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DONNA F. EDWARDS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2013

  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss H.R. 2616, ``the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 
2013.''
  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, is the 
nation's crown jewel for spurring innovation, highly-skilled and good 
paying jobs, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Since the 
Apollo era, NASA has been a cornerstone of domestic innovation, 
economic growth, and international competitiveness. Unfortunately, in 
the past few years, Congress has not funded NASA adequately in a way 
that reflects its unique role and its many contributions. Simply put, 
recent flat and reduced funding had required NASA to do too much with 
too little.
  The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Space Subcommittee, 
on which I proudly serve as the Ranking Member, has historically been 
known for its bipartisanship and commitment to a strong and vibrant 
space and aeronautics program at NASA. Last Wednesday, Committee 
leadership released a committee print of its authorization bill. 
Notwithstanding the fact that this current version of the Committee 
leadership's legislation incorporates some positive clarifications from 
the version initially circulated for discussion two weeks ago, it still 
cuts NASA's funding in Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) by over $1 billion from 
the requested level.
  The Committee leadership's bill does not contain funding commensurate 
with the tasks NASA is already being asked to undertake while also 
adding NASA unfunded mandates. In particular, the majority's 
legislation amends existing law to create the milestone of enabling 
humans to land on the Moon, while maintaining deep sequestration cuts 
over the life of the bill. I regret to say that if enacted, it would 
not help NASA meet the challenges facing the Agency.
  That is why I, along with 11 original cosponsors of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, wish to provide 
an alternative which I hope will be the foundation for bipartisan 
support. This legislation is a pragmatic path forward that will give 
NASA a clear sense of purpose and direction in a way that also 
recognizes the nation's need for fiscal restraint. NASA is and should 
remain a multi-mission agency with a balanced and robust set of core 
missions in science, aeronautics, space technology, and human space 
flight and exploration.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2616 does a number of important and necessary 
things by:
  Preserving NASA's purchasing power relative to FY12 enacted levels by 
authorizing $18.1 billion for FY14 with inflationary increases over the 
three year authorization period of FY14 through FY16;
  Providing a clear goal of a crewed mission to the surface of Mars and 
requiring a roadmap which identifies intermediate destinations and 
activities that contribute to enabling the effective achievement of 
that goal;
  Recognizing the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew vehicle as 
the highest priorities for carrying out the Mars goal and authorizing 
increases that bring SLS funding to $1.8 billion by FY16;
  Emphasizing congressional commitment to safety in NASA's human 
spaceflight activities by requiring an independent review of NASA's 
commercial crew safety processes and procedures and providing for other 
measures to enable full government insight and oversight in ensuring 
safety;
  Providing robust funding for commercial crew system development of 
$700 million per year;
  Maintaining our commitment to International Space Station, ISS, 
operations through 2020 and initiating a process for determining if and 
how long ISS should operate beyond 2020;
  Authorizing increases for ISS research to augment discovery-based 
science and maximize the full and productive utilization of this unique 
laboratory;
  Restoring Planetary Science to $1.5 billion annual funding, following 
recent cuts to the program;
  Maintaining a sound Earth Sciences program that ensures observing 
systems development, and advances research, knowledge, and applied data 
uses that benefit society;
  Sustaining a stable aeronautics research program, consistent with 
FY12 enacted levels, that supports research priorities, strategic 
initiatives, and flight demonstrations;
  Recognizing the importance of investing in space technology to enable 
future missions, spur innovation, and contribute to economic growth and 
job-creation;
  Sustaining NASA's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, 
STEM, Education Activities and continues current agency education and 
outreach activities supported by scientists and engineers; and
  Including a number of ``good government'' provisions such as 
establishing measures to strengthen NASA's cost estimating and fiscal 
management practices to minimize cost overruns in projects and 
assessing the capabilities and resources needed to expand NASA's Near-
Earth Objects program to include smaller objects.
  In closing Mr. Speaker, this fiscally responsible bill puts NASA back 
on track to greatness and provides flexibility in how the agency is to 
implement engineering and scientific details. This Authorization bill 
is a vitally important opportunity to set the policy direction and 
authorize funding needed to both sustain NASA's global excellence and 
preeminence in space and aeronautics and provide a clear and inspiring 
path forward for the nation's human exploration of outer space.