President Signs NASA Reauthorization
(Washington, DC) – The President signed H.R. 6063, to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Legislation originated in the House Committee on Science and Technology.
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced H.R. 6063 on May 15th. The bill passed the Committee on June 4, 2008. A revised version of H.R. 6063 passed the House by a voice vote on September 27, 2008 and was signed into law by the president yesterday. The Committee has also held many hearings to review the programs at NASA throughout this Congress.
“This fiscally responsible legislation includes provisions to ensure the future of NASA’s programs in science, aeronautics, and human spaceflight and exploration and climate change research. Over the past fifty years, the outcomes of NASA’s work have contributed to the nation’s innovation agenda and caused America to excel in science and technology. NASA has made our civil and military aircraft technologies safer, faster, and more efficient while decreasing their environmental footprint,” stated Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).
“I am very pleased to see my bill to reauthorize NASA become law this week – a bipartisan bill that shows what Congress can achieve when we work across partisan divisions. NASA has done much to advance our understanding of our universe and our own planet, as well as contribute to our economic competitiveness in industries ranging from aeronautics to telecommunications,” said Udall. “My bill will help continue the leadership of the United States in civil space programs, strengthening our economy and our national security.”
Chairman Gordon also applauded NASA’s recent Spinoff report. The report highlights commercial applications of NASA technologies, which have contributed to the development of products and services in the fields of health and medicine, industry, consumer goods, transportation, public safety, computer technology, and environmental resources.
“We all benefit from technologies developed at NASA. Firefighters and race car drivers are protected by textiles derived from space suits. Doctors are helping to avert heart failure using advanced polymer coatings for implantable devices based on technology developed at NASA. NASA’s technological advances support American economic competitiveness and are a great source of national pride,” added Gordon.
For more information on the Committee’s work on H.R. 6063, please visit the Committee’s website.
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