Congress on CxP: Lots of Talk But No Real Action

House spending panel punts on NASA policy, Orlando Sentinel
“A key congressional committee today sidestepped a potential vote on NASA’s future, opting to take “no position” on White House plans to scrap NASA’s moon rocket program and replace the space shuttle with commercial rockets. The House subcommittee with oversight of NASA’s budget did, however, agree unanimously to withhold funding for the agency’s human exploration program until Congress authorizes a plan for the agency — a move that normally could cause headaches for the administration. But because Congress is unlikely to move this spending bill — or any 2011 spending bill — until after election season, the prohibition essentially is rendered moot. With that procedure aside, much of the rest of the two-hour hearing turned into a debate about NASA should do after the shuttle era.”
Aderholt’s bill tells NASA to stop Constellation cuts, Huntsville Times
“Aderholt’s bill, titled the Protecting Human Spaceflight Act of 2010, would require NASA to stop downsizing or canceling Constellation projects. It was introduced in the House shortly after 5 p.m. CDT Monday. The legislation would also require the space agency to spend 90 percent of the remaining funds appropriated for Constellation this year.”