WASHINGTON,D.C. – Today, the House Space Subcommittee passed a bipartisan NASA spending plan that supports human space exploration, science, and STEM education. Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05), Vice-Chairman of the Space Subcommittee, supported the NASA Authorization Act of 2014, which establishes NASA human spaceflight goals for lunar orbit and Moon and Mars landings.
Congressman Brooks said, “The NASA Authorization Act of 2014 increases by almost $220 million the President’s Space Launch
Mo Brooks
System (SLS) funding level. SLS, which is largely developed and produced at Marshall Space Flight Center, is funded at $1.6 billion, an increase of $190 million over FY2013. The $1.6 billion funding level for SLS emphasizes Congressional support for SLS, human exploration, groundbreaking scientific missions, and national security priorities beyond low-Earth orbit.”
Congressman Brooks continued, “In light of recent events in Russia and Ukraine, the NASA Authorization Act reaffirms America’s need to access the International Space Station without Russian reliance. Prioritization of SLS and other launch vehicles paves the way for America to reclaim human space flight preeminence.”
Congressman Brooks spearheaded the successful effort to include a “Termination Liability” provision in the NASA Authorization Act. Brooks stated, “I’m pleased the subcommittee included my termination liability language that frees up roughly $767 million in appropriated funding to complete vital NASA projects, such as SLS, Orion, and James Webb Telescope, rather than holding funding hostage for the unlikely event of program cancellation. This measure helps NASA meet project deadlines while reducing the risk of unilateral cancellations by the Administration, as occurred with the Constellation program, resulting in billions of dollars in lost taxpayer investment. Further, the Termination Liability provision requires a one-year notice to Congress if the Administration decides to terminate major projects, giving Congress and the public time to review and respond in an appropriate manner.”
Congressman Brooks concluded, “I’m proud the Space Subcommittee came together in a bipartisan manner to produce a NASA Authorization Act that is favorable to the missions supported by America and our North Alabama community.”
Click here to read a copy of H.R. 4412.
MEDIA RELEASE/MO BROOKS CONGRESSMAN 5TH DISTRICT OF ALABAMA /LAUREN VANDIVER
