{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=340076", "Draft NASA Reauthorization Prioritizes Support for Long-term Exploration Goals", "2013-06-19", "2013", "2013-06", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Draft NASA Reauthorization Prioritizes Support for Long-term Exploration Goals\r\nBill Prohibits Administration\u2019s Asteroid Retrieval Mission\r\n\r\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 The Space Subcommittee today held a hearing to review draft legislation to reauthorize programs at NASA for two years, including a topline budget of over $16.8 billion dollars for the agency, which is consistent with the requirements of the Budget Control Act.\u00a0 \r\n\u00a0\r\nSpace Subcommittee Chairman Steven Palazzo (R-Miss): \u201cIn addition to authorizing funding and giving direction to the agency for critical missions, the Committee has included several measures to ensure good government practices and transparency within NASA. This authorization bill reflects a sincere effort to maximize return to the taxpayer while working to protect America\u2019s role as the world leader in space exploration.\u00a0 We must ensure that every single dollar appropriated to NASA is spent effectively and efficiently.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cAs mandatory spending continues to erode important discretionary investments like NASA, we are forced to make very difficult decisions.\u00a0 This is unfortunately the reality we must face until the federal government can get its finances in order.\u00a0 That is why this discussion draft complies with the law of the land \u2013 the Budget Control Act, which passed the Senate, the House and was signed by the President.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe draft bill directs the administration to focus on core programs such as the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew capsule, the International Space Station, the James Webb Space Telescope and the Commercial Crew Program. \r\n\u00a0\r\nThe President\u2019s fiscal year 2014 NASA budget proposal requests funding for an Asteroid Retrieval Mission. Members and witnesses today indicated that this proposal lacks details, justification and support from NASA\u2019s advisory bodies. \u201cBecause the mission appears to be a costly and complex distraction, this bill prohibits NASA from doing any work on the project and we will work with appropriators to ensure the agency complies with this directive,\u201d Chairman Palazzo said.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe draft bill authorizes SLS at over $1.7 billion, $28 million above the Administration\u2019s request, and the Orion crew capsule at $1.2 billion.\u00a0 The Commercial Crew program is authorized at $700 million, which includes several accountability measures and a non-negotiable flight readiness deadline of December 31, 2017.\u00a0 The International Space Station is authorized at over $2.9 billion, which includes a framework for NASA to determine the future life of the Station with a priority on microgravity research. \r\n\u00a0\r\nThe $4.62 billion authorized for NASA\u2019s Science Mission Directorate is intended to ensure critical programs continue on schedule, including the James Webb Space Telescope and Planetary Science missions. Over the last five years the Earth Science program has grown by more than 40 percent. With 13 other agencies throughout the federal government spending $2.5 billion on climate-related research, the draft NASA reauthorization seeks a more balanced portfolio of science mission programs, while moderating recent increases to earth science.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn a letter of support submitted prior to today\u2019s hearing, The Planetary Society stated: \r\n\r\nThe Planetary Society strongly supports the funding levels authorized for Planetary Science in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2013 proposed in the United States House of Representatives. The House Science Committee, working within very stringent budgetary limitations, prioritized funding for the Planetary Science Division commensurate with its importance to NASA\u2019s core mission of exploration. \u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe following witnesses testified at the hearing:\r\nDr. Steven W. Squyres, Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy, Cornell University\r\nMr. A. Thomas Young, Former Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Corporation\r\n\u00a0\r\nFor more information about today\u2019s hearing, including witness testimony, please visit the Science, Space, and Technology Committee website.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=340076"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1906689032912254, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}