Mikulski Tries Again To Help Pay For Shuttle Costs

Mikulski Renews Pledge to Increase NASAs Budget, Fight for $1 Billion Repayment for Columbia Costs

“The 2009 CJS spending bill is Senator Mikulski’s third attempt to gain approval of her $1 billion NASA amendment. In 1987, Congress allocated $2.7 billion in the aftermath of the Challenger tragedy to pay for a replacement shuttle. In the aftermath of the Columbia tragedy, however, NASA was not given any additional funding to repair the remaining shuttles. The amendment will pay back the costs of returning the Shuttle to flight and restore cuts to science, aeronautics and exploration programs that were cut in order to pay for the return to flight.”