Mikulski Pushes $17.8 Billion for NASA

Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) announced Thursday a bill provides almost $17.8 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is $200 million above the President’s budget request. The House of Representatives passed a $20.21 billion NASA budget Wednesday with a Senate conference committee likely.

The bill fully funds the President’s budget request for Space Shuttle operations ($3 billion) and Space Station operations ($2 billion). The bill also provides $2.9 billion for development of the next generation Crew Launch Vehicle and Crew Exploration Vehicle. The bill provides $4.5 billion for NASA’s science programs and $500 million for aeronautics research.

Mikulski also pledged to re-introduce her amendment to provide $1 billion in federal funding to pay back NASA for the costs of returning the Space Shuttle to flight. The funding will reimburse critical science, aeronautics and exploration programs that were cut to pay for repairs. This will mark Chairwoman Mikulski’s third attempt to gain approval of her amendment.