More Money For NASA?

Some House members want to increase NASA’s budget, Daily Press

“House budget writers signaled Wednesday they will try to increase NASA’s budget for next year, warning that President Bush’s spending request would leave the aerospace agency unable to fully conduct its missions. Democratic and Republican leaders of a key House panel told NASA Administrator Michael Griffin they were uneasy with a budget that they said fails even to keep up with inflation. “You’re cash-strapped,” said Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds NASA. “The budget is categorized as staying the course. It doesn’t seem adequate anymore.”

Statement by NASA Administrator Griffin Before before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Editor’s note: Of course, most Congress watchers here in Washington are almost certain that the next budget will end up as yet another continuing resolution. So don’t look for any dramatic increases in NASA’s budget – especially in an election year when everyone is preoccupied. Of course, knowing that this is a likely scenario, its easy for members of Congress to say that they want to plus up NASA’s budget – when they know that they’ll never really have to deliver on that desire. Ah, Washington.

House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee Hearing: NASA (5 March)

House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee Hearing: NASA (6 March)