House Appropriations Committee Report Language: NASA

Today, the full House is expected to take up H.R. 3666, the FY 1997 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. The bill was passed by the House Appropriations Committee on June 13. The accompanying committee report, House Report 104-628, provides an indication of the Committee’s recommendations for the agencies funded by the bill. Below are the selected highlights of the report’s provisions for NASA. NSF provisions will be described in FYI #97.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION:

“The Committee has recommended a total program level of $13,604,200,000 in fiscal year 1997, which is $1,100,000,000 below the budget request and $299,500,000 below the fiscal year 1996 enacted appropriation.”

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT:

“This appropriation provides for human space flight activities, including development of the space station, and operation of the space shuttle. This account also includes support of planned cooperative activities with Russia, upgrades to the performance and safety of the space shuttle, and required construction projects in direct support of the space station and space shuttle programs.

“The Committee recommends a total of $5,362,900,000 for the human space flight account. The recommendation is the same as the budget request and $93,700,000 below the fiscal year 1996 enacted appropriation.”

SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS AND TECHNOLOGY:

“This appropriation provides for the research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. These activities include: space science, life and microgravity science, mission to planet earth, aeronautical research and technology, advanced concepts and technology, launch services, and academic programs. Funds are also included for the construction, maintenance, and operation of programmatic facilities.

“The Committee recommends $5,662,100,000 for Science, Aeronautics and Technology in fiscal year 1997. The amount recommended is $200,000,000 below the budget request and $266,800,000 below the fiscal year 1996 appropriation. The recommended changes from the budget request include a decrease of $220,000,000 for Mission to Planet Earth, an increase of $4,000,000 for the application of electronic imaging technologies in the exploration and development of cardiac imaging at the Cleveland Clinic, $4,000,000 for continuation of NASA’s Space Radiation Health program, $2,000,000 for High Speed Civil Transport research into shock-free supersonic technology, and $10,000,000 for education programs.” (VA/HUD ranking minority member Louis Stokes represents part of Cleveland, Ohio.)

“Mission to Planet Earth: The reduction of $220,000,000 includes a reduction of $5,000,000 from the GLOBE program. Within the funds provided for the Office of Mission to Planet Earth, $13 million is to be made available to the American Museum of Natural History/national center for science literacy, education and technology [N.Y.C.], to support federal participation in the further development of the American Museum of Natural History/national center for science literacy, education and technology, including the Hall of the Universe and the Hall of Life’s Diversity. Funds are to be utilized to defray the costs of design and development, related research and science education activities, and the development of their science technology initiative.

“Local Government Applications of Satellite Imagery: From within the funds provided for Mission to Planet Earth, NASA is directed to undertake a pilot program that develops local government applications of satellite imagery in Cayuga County, New York. Cayuga County is uniquely located geographically and experienced with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications which would facilitate the use of satellite imagery and data. It is expected that the pilot program will coordinate GIS work over a broad array of urban planning and agricultural applications and the resulting knowledge would help local and state decision makers.” (Cayuga County, NY, is represented by Republican VA/HUD appropriations member James T. Walsh.)

“Microgravity Institutes: The Committee is pleased with the direction NASA is taking in establishing science institutes. These centers provide an opportunity for private-public partnerships that facilitate the transfer of technology to the private sector. The Committee, however, urges NASA to ensure continuous cooperation and integration of NASA centers in all of the institutes’ research.”

“Academic Programs: The Committee recommends $110,800,000 for Academic Programs in fiscal year 1997, an increase of $3,900,000 from the fiscal year 1996 appropriation level and $10,000,000 more than the President’s budget request.

“The Committee strongly supports NASA educational programs, which expand opportunities and enhance diversity in the NASA sponsored research and education community. The increased funding provided by the Committee for academic programs in fiscal year 1997 is to be used to achieve a balance between the proportion of NASA funding received by minority institutions of higher education and other institutions of higher education.”

In other recommendations, the Committee “urges NASA to continue cooperative programs with other government agencies which can result in budget savings and elimination of duplicative programs.” It also “urges NASA to develop and utilize alternate methods for determining the appropriate value and price of commercial services offered under firm, fixed price contracts.”

Within the Science, Aeronautics and Technology account, Mission to Planet Earth is the only program specified in the report for a significant reduction (to $1.18 billion from a request of $1.40 billion.) It would appear that space, life and microgravity sciences would be fully funded at their requested levels (space science: $1.86 billion; life and microgravity science: $499 million.)