DeWine Announces Senate Passage of the NASA Authorization Act

DEWINE ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF THE NASA AUTHORIZATION ACT

U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) today announced the Senate passage of S.1281, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005, which supports numerous programs in areas of expertise at NASA Glenn. The bill passed the Senate by a voice vote.

"This bill provides NASA's roadmap for the future, directing their agenda for the next five years," said Senator DeWine. "Over the last few months, I've worked with Northeast Ohio's aerospace and academic communities in order to ensure that this legislation reflects the research and development priorities necessary to spur innovation and support regional employment."

In July of this year, Senator DeWine exercised his ability to hold passage of this legislation setting NASA's long-term agenda until he was able to negotiate a series of amendments to protect NASA Glenn and the Northeast Ohio aerospace and academic communities. The DeWine amendments passed by the Senate include language directing NASA to:

• Conduct a human health & safety program supporting human space flight missions. This program would utilize expertise at NASA Glenn and area partners, such as the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University to develop medical monitoring, cardiac health, and other programs to aid space exploration.

• Develop advanced surface power systems for use on the Moon and Mars. A central requirement for NASA's planned space exploration program is a reliable source of power. NASA Glenn is the recognized leader in this area, having led development of power systems for the International Space Station. Glenn is expected to be the lead within the agency for this program.

• Fully utilize existing staff at NASA field centers for work associated with the Vision for Space Exploration. This requirement dictates that NASA must look internally first when assigning new projects. The bill also requires NASA to balance space exploration projects between field centers to utilize capabilities such as power and propulsion at NASA Glenn.

• Continue the successful and longstanding commercial technology transfer program until Congress approves a new program. NASA Glenn is home to numerous commercialization programs, including the Great Lakes Innovation and Technology Center. This language would keep those programs open as the Administrator works to establish a broad new approach to commercial technology.

• Maintain a prohibition on major civil service reductions-in-force until June 1, 2007, giving agency planners and staff members time to begin carrying out new space exploration and aeronautics policies before rushing headlong into large-scale staffing decisions.

• Carry out elements of a new, DeWine-authored aeronautics title that calls for reinvigorated research in key areas of strength at NASA Glenn, including hypersonics, propulsion, environmental aircraft development, and fuel cells. The title protects aeronautics test facilities and lays out specific considerations for the President and NASA Administrator as they formulate a comprehensive National Aeronautics Policy. The bill now goes to Conference Committee with H.R.3070, and Senator DeWine will continue to fight so that NASA Glenn is adequately represented in the final bill.

Since 2001, Senator DeWine has provided over $86 million in directed spending to NASA Glenn through his seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Additionally, he has:

• Helped secure $60 million for the commercial technology program nationwide since 2003, with a substantial amount of this funding going to Glenn and its commercialization partners.

• Sponsored an amendment to the Senate's 2006 NASA budget that would provide an increase of $7 million for the NASA aeronautics research & development account. This additional funding provides momentum for further increases when the bill is finalized, and Senator DeWine will work with aeronautics advocates in the Ohio delegation, as well as in other states, to push for the highest total possible.

Senator DeWine will also participate in a concerted effort by NASA leaders in the Senate to call the agency to task for its erratic and, at times, unauthorized programming approach. As an example, NASA has proposed three entirely different aeronautics R&D plans in the last 18 months, leading to wasted taxpayer dollars, abrupt termination of numerous programs, and the of lack of a clear, long-term direction for aeronautics programs.

http://dewine.senate.gov/