OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Investing in Space Exploration and Scientific Research

Floor Speech

Date: March 25, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Technology and Communication Science

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. has always been the world leader in space exploration. We were the first and only nation to put humans safely on the Moon and the only nation to send unmanned ships to Mars, among other extraordinary missions.

In 2011, NASA flew its last space shuttle mission. Without any new human lift system ready, the U.S. has had to depend on Russia to send our astronauts to space. This arrangement has worked because of a sense of cooperation and mutual respect between our two great nations' space programs.

But American innovation cannot be stopped. Several private companies are working with NASA to ensure that Americans can once again fly on American spaceships.

As a Nation, we should support this effort and encourage private American companies to accelerate their programs. These public-private partnerships will ensure that the U.S. does not rely solely on Russian spacecraft.

I urge my colleagues to consider the long-term benefits of investing in space exploration and scientific research.


Source
arrow_upward