States $2.9 Billion Request Will Threaten 2010 Shuttle Retirement Date

A congressional effort to add another three shuttle flights to the International Space Station before the projected 2010 retirement of the shuttle program was vehemently rejected by the White House on June 10 stating the $2.9 Billion request was "inconsistent with the administration's fiscal policies."

The Houston Chronicle said Wednesday the Bush Administration’s Office of Management and Budget issued the unusually strongly worded statement of administration policy criticizing the Congressional effort and implied a veto was likely unless changes were made.

The action followed six days after the House Science and Technology Committee endorsed legislation that would provide $17.6 billion for the coming fiscal year to NASA plus an additional $2.9 billion for the three flights.

Members of both parties are concerned the retirement of the shuttle program in two years will leave the U.S. space program’s transportation requirements to the $31 Billion ISS overly dependent on the Russian Soyuz program for the five year gap until the next generation of American space vehicles is ready for use.

The White House statement additionally insisted that "the NASA administrator's authority to make the final determination on shuttle flights based on safety considerations must be preserved," regardless of the feelings of Congress. 

The statement accused lawmakers for micromanaging space agency operations that “would almost certainly result in several serious impacts and risks" including potential, unspecified risks to astronauts according to the White House.

The proposed legislation made references to requiring NASA to deepen international cooperation in the next generation of manned U.S. space operations. The White House took exception to the reference saying the provision ordering international outreach "directly infringes upon the president's authority to conduct foreign affairs."

Such criticism by the White House to a program crucial to Texas left Republicans of the state in a quandary.

Some, like Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, said they would push for additional NASA funding, with or without White House approval.

Disagreeing with the White House’s position of additional missions jeopardizing the 2010 retirement date, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin felt the additional flights are crucial to the operation of the ISS.

"The contingency flights are necessary to make sure the space station is fully equipped entering that period when the U.S. will have no spaceflights," he said.

After the House gives its NASA funding plan final approval, the Senate, with strong bipartisan support for increased funding in the Senate, will act.

Without directly addressing the White House statement, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee,  said she considers completion of the space station an issue of "utmost importance" and will continue working "to increase NASA funding so we may close the gap in continuous spaceflight," according to spokesman Matt Mackowiak.

Democratic voices in the House were far more critical of the Bush administration’s position on NASA funding.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, said it was "truly unfortunate" that Americans cannot rely on the administration to support legislation to fund NASA programs.

Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Stafford, said additional NASA funding and shuttle flights would "enable the United States to remain the predominant leader in technology and space exploration." Lampson has been designated by Democratic leaders as the next chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over NASA if he wins re-election in 2008.

Lampson added the Bush administration was missing an opportunity to "grow the (Houston) economy and increase jobs at Johnson Space Center" with its position and probable veto if the measure passes the Senate.

FMI: www.nasa.gov, www.house.gov