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Planetary News: Space Policy (2005)U.S. Congress Reorganizes Committees to Consider NASA Budgeteport from Capitol Hill As the temperature heats up in Washington, D.C., so too do the politics. In a surprising spirit of bi-partisanship, the Congress is moving forward on space legislation at a quick pace. Authorizations and Appropriations Committees in both the House and Senate have held only a few initial hearings, remaining focused on drafting and passing legislation, largely in support of the NASA budget and direction. The House Appropriations Committee (HAC) recently approved the recommendation of their Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, and Commerce and Related Agencies -- where NASA resides. The HAC gives NASA $16.5 Billion in fiscal 2006 -- $14.7 million more than President Bush's request and $274.7 million above the enacted FY05 level. The committee is supportive of NASA's new vision and mission for space exploration. The Committee restored the agency's aeronautics research efforts at the FY05 level of $906 million and also included $40 million above Bush's request with $30 million of that for the Glory mission and $10 million for the Space Interferometer Mission. In order to fund these increases, similar cuts were made to the ISS utilization budget. The House will likely take up the NASA Bill on the Floor next week. The Senate Appropriators plan to mark up their NASA bill in mid- to late-July. The House Science Committee (Chairman Boehlert) is planning to mark up the FY06 NASA Authorization Bill in Subcommittee (Chairman Calvert) on June 23 and in full Committee on June 30. The Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee is also planning to mark up their version of the FY06 NASA Authorization Bill on June 23, and they plan to proceed straight to full Committee that day. The question of whether a final Authorizations bill will be agreed upon and become law, remains un-answered. NASA has not had an Authorization bill since 2000. Democrats and Republicans are rallying to support the new NASA Administrator, Mike Griffin and the Vision for Space Exploration. Differences between the House and Senate may prove more challenging. Congressmen Boehlert and Calvert seem to favor a more balanced NASA -- keeping aeronautics and Earth Sciences healthy, while Senator's Hutchinson and Nelson seem to want to keep the Shuttle flying as long as possible. Bridging these differing goals may prove challenging in a final Authorization bill. Meanwhile, Administrator Griffin continues to assert his leadership within NASA. Already having visited all 9 NASA Centers in his first month on the job, Griffin is making significant organizational and personnel changes as well. A new team hand-picked by Griffin, and led by former Hill Staff Chris Shank and former NASA and Orbital Sciences engineer, Doug Stanley, are completing a 60-day study that will restructure the entire exploration initiative. The current head of the Exploration Office has already resigned, Rear Admiral Craig Steidle, after being "re-assigned" to a new position. More than 50 additional NASA senior managers will be "re-assigned" in the coming weeks. Many of those will likely choose to resign, opening up key positions to a new team of NASA leaders. On balance, NASA and the vision for space exploration continue to receive broad support in Washington. Although NASA has already met several challenges on the path back to the Moon and on to Mars, many more challenges remain.Lori Garver is an aerospace consultant in Washington, D.C. Until January, 2001 Ms. Garver was the Associate Administrator for Policy and Plans at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where she oversaw the analysis, development, and integration of NASA policies and long-range plans, the NASA Strategic Management System, the NASA Advisory Council, and History Division. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Garver served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of Policy and Plans and as Special Assistant to the NASA Administrator. Before joining NASA, Ms. Garver was Executive Director of the National Space Society, a space advocacy organization dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. In her position she served as the organizations' primary spokesperson, appearing on national television and regularly testifying on Capitol Hill. Ms. Garver began her career in Washington, D.C. working for Senator John Glenn from 1983-1984. She is a recipient of both the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal as well as the National Space Society's Space Pioneer Award. Ms. Garver received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Colorado College in 2000. She holds a Masters degree in Science, Technology and Public Policy from the George Washington University and her Bachelors degree in Political Science and Economics from Colorado College. |
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