On February 10th, the House passed the NASA Authorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 810), a bipartisan bill that outlines congressional priorities for NASA. The bill remained bipartisan by authorizing NASA only through the current, already appropriated fiscal year, avoiding debates on future funding levels. The bill instead focuses on setting program and policy directions for NASA in the areas of human space flight, science, aeronautics, space technology, education, and many other separate policy provisions. The bill has broad support among leaders of the Science Committee; it is co-sponsored by House Space Subcommittee Chairman Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Ranking Member Donna Edwards (D-MD), Vice-Chair Mo Brooks (R-AL), and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).
In the area of human spaceflight, the bill lays out near-term goals and long-term policy directions. A one-page summary prepared by the committee states that a “human mission to Mars is the goal for NASA’s human spaceflight program and requires the development of a roadmap to achieve that goal, as well as biennial updates.” Support for long-term policy and project planning in the area of Earth science can also be found in the bill, “The Administrator shall continue to carry out a balanced Earth science program that includes Earth science research, Earth systematic missions, competitive Venture class missions, other missions and data analysis, mission operations, technology development, and applied sciences, consistent with the recommendations and priorities established in the National Academies’ Earth Science Decadal Survey.” The bill also addresses the need to transfer additional funds to NASA’s Earth Science division as it undertakes additional responsibilities, including operation of all non-weather satellites previously run by NOAA.
Rep. Smith highlighted NASA’s national significance, stating “The NASA Authorization Act of 2015 helps ensure that the United States will continue its proud tradition of being a world leader in space exploration. For more than 50 years, the U.S. has led the world in space exploration…Our astronauts are national heroes. Alan Shepherd, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Sally Ride are household names. And today’s astronauts inspire American students to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to reach for the stars. Space exploration is an investment in our nation’s future - often our long-term future. This bill expresses bipartisan confidence in America’s space initiatives.”
Rep. Edwards emphasized the bipartisan support of the bill in her floor statement, "NASA is a crown jewel of our Federal government. NASA's space and aeronautics programs help maintain our competitiveness, serve as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth, and inspire the next generation to dream big and garner the skills to turn those dreams into action. NASA and our space program have a long history of bipartisan support."
After passing the House, this bill was sent to the Senate, where it is awaiting review by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. A similar bill, The NASA Authorization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4412), was passed by The House during the last congressional session, but did not reach the Senate floor for a vote.
- Karen Paczkowski, GSA Science Policy Fellow