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house Bill H.R. 2039

Funding NASA With $37 Billion Over Two Years: Liftoff?

Argument in favor

This bill doesn’t promise NASA more money than the government can afford and increases funding for NASA’s Planetary Science Division.

Jonathan's Opinion
···
05/15/2015
NASA and DARPA are our lead innovators. We need to fund science research on all levels.
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Eric's Opinion
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05/16/2015
NASA barely gets 0.5% of national funding. We need to cut defense spending and corporate welfare so we can send it to programs that actually matter.
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Loraki's Opinion
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10/18/2016
ARE WE WILLING TO JUST SIT BACK AND LET CHINA AND/OR RUSSIA GAIN THE UPPER HAND IN SPACE?! CHINA IS SEEKING A MILITARY ADVANTAGE IN EARTH'S ORBIT AND FROM THE MOON. I also think it's a big mistake to decrease the funding for heliophysics and increase the funding for STEM! Get the federal government out of education! Let the states handle it! Shenzhou 11 Spacecraft Blasts Off With Two Astronauts For China's Longest Manned Space Mission • China has lately been working on its space program for commercial, military and scientific purposes. • The mission and earlier launches are considered parts of a broader plan by China to set up a permanent manned station in space around the year 2022 as well as provide pointers for possible manned mission to the Moon or even planet Mars. • The Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or "Heavenly Palace 2" that will serve as home for the two astronauts for the next month, was launched into space just last month. It could be the only operational space station in the world once the International Space Station retires by 2024. Shenzhou 11 blasted off on a Long March 2F launch rocket from the the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert at 7:30 a.m. (07:30 p.m. EDT) carrying two astronauts into orbit. The taikonauts, as Chinese astronauts are called, will spend 30 days aboard the experimental Tiangong 2 space laboratory, in what to date would be the longest stay in space by Chinese astronauts. The mission and earlier launches are considered parts of a broader plan by China to set up a permanent manned station in space around the year 2022 as well as provide pointers for possible manned mission to the Moon or even planet Mars. The Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or "Heavenly Palace 2" that will serve as home for the two astronauts for the next month, was launched into space just last month. It could be the only operational space station in the world once the International Space Station retires by 2024. http://www.techtimes.com/articles/181698/20161010/china-s-tiangong-2-may-be-the-only-space-station-left-when-the-iss-retires-in-2024.htm "You are going to travel in space to pursue the space dream of the Chinese nation," Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, told taikonauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong during a meeting early on Monday. "We wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return." http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-space-idUSKBN12G10V The mission would mark the third spaceflight for mission commander Jing Haipeng, who will also celebrate his 50th birthday in orbit. It is first the space mission for flight engineer Chen Dong. China's human space program chief commander Zhang Youxia called the launch of the spacecraft successful. "The rocket is flying according to its original plan and the Shenzhou spacecraft has entered into its preliminary orbit," Zhang Youxia said. "The solar panel has been unfolded and the crew is in great condition. Hereby I announce the launch of Shenzhou-11 is a complete success." http://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-launches-two-astronauts-on-long-duration-flight/ Shenzhou 11, which means "Divine Vessel", also carries three experiments that were designed by middle school students in Hong Kong. The experiments, which include one that involves taking silk worms into space, were selected in a science competition. China is the third country in the world after Russia and the U.S. to conduct a crewed space mission. In 2013, the country successfully landed the Jade Rabbit rover on the moon, albeit the probe later suffered severe technical difficulties. China has lately been working on its space program for commercial, military and scientific purposes. http://www.techtimes.com/articles/182500/20161017/shenzhou-11-spacecraft-blasts-off-with-two-astronauts-for-chinas-longest-manned-space-mission.htm
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Argument opposed

The bill forces a change in NASA review schedules and cuts funding for NASA’s Earth Science Division, which is an important part of NASA.

David's Opinion
···
07/25/2015
NASAis valuable Their funding should be increased.
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Seeya's Opinion
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09/23/2015
Hussein has turned nasa into a Muslim outreach program, scrap it; they don't even have a shuttle....
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James's Opinion
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11/20/2016
NASA needs more money, not less if we ever want to stop relying on the Russians to launch our astronauts. I'm against this bill because it does not give NASA enough resources to actually accomplish what it needs to do.
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What is House Bill H.R. 2039?

This bill outlines the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) budget for 2016-2017, providing $18.5 billion in funding for fiscal year 2016 and $18.8 billion in 2017. It would increase use of the International Space Station for science research, encourage the commercial use of space, further develop protection from solar flares, remove space debris, and support development of a new space telescope that would aid in detecting Earth-sized planets. Funding would also be provided for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.

In addition, NASA would report to Congress more frequently and work with organizations like the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and the National Academies to review NASA’s effectiveness.

The bill also alters the budgets of existing divisions within NASA. Specifically, it:

  • Significantly decreases funding for NASA’s Earth Science Division;

  • Decreases funding for NASA’s Heliophysics Division;

  • Significantly increases funding for NASA’s Planetary Science Division, which experienced a series of large funding cuts in 2013;

  • Increases funding for NASA’s Astrophysics Division.

Impact

NASA and its employees; private sector space companies; people receiving the funding for STEM education included in the bill; NAPA; the National Academies; Congress.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 2039

$37.10 Billion
The CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2039 would cost $37.1 billion over the 2016-2020 period.

More Information

In-Depth: In his statement supporting the bill, sponsoring Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS) argued that the bill doesn’t give NASA more money than the government can afford: “Unlike the president’s budget request, this bill fully complies with the Budget Control Act (BCA) and provides for increased authorizations in the event that the BCA is repealed, replaced, or amended; or if off-sets are identified within existing discretionary spending accounts to allow for increases.”

The Planetary Society, a non-profit advocacy group, wrote in a press release that it didn’t support the bill due to cuts in NASA’s Planetary Science Division:

“Understanding the forces acting on Earth’s environment as well as the impacts of climate change are important, and only NASA possesses the skills and expertise to build the scientific spacecraft required to conduct this research.”

Of Note: A report from the Space Foundation compares the NASA budget proposals of the President, the committee which approved the bill, and the previous year’s budget. It shows that the President’s requested budget for NASA was higher than the 2015 NASA budget and gave NASA’s Earth Science Division $500 million more than the committee. The committee proposed decreasing NASA’s overall budget.

Additionally, an article from Space Policy Online highlights how the bill that was approved by the committee was divided along party lines, with Republicans supporting the bill and Democrats opposing the bill because of the changes it made in funding allocation for the Earth Science Division.


Media:

Summary by Chris Conrad
(Photo Credit: Flickr user mathampson)

AKA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act for 2016 and 2017

Official Title

To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house has not voted
      house Committees
      Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
    IntroducedApril 28th, 2015
    Jonathan's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/15/2015
    NASA and DARPA are our lead innovators. We need to fund science research on all levels.
    Like (16)
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    Share
    Eric's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    05/16/2015
    NASA barely gets 0.5% of national funding. We need to cut defense spending and corporate welfare so we can send it to programs that actually matter.
    Like (13)
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    Loraki's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/18/2016
    ARE WE WILLING TO JUST SIT BACK AND LET CHINA AND/OR RUSSIA GAIN THE UPPER HAND IN SPACE?! CHINA IS SEEKING A MILITARY ADVANTAGE IN EARTH'S ORBIT AND FROM THE MOON. I also think it's a big mistake to decrease the funding for heliophysics and increase the funding for STEM! Get the federal government out of education! Let the states handle it! Shenzhou 11 Spacecraft Blasts Off With Two Astronauts For China's Longest Manned Space Mission • China has lately been working on its space program for commercial, military and scientific purposes. • The mission and earlier launches are considered parts of a broader plan by China to set up a permanent manned station in space around the year 2022 as well as provide pointers for possible manned mission to the Moon or even planet Mars. • The Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or "Heavenly Palace 2" that will serve as home for the two astronauts for the next month, was launched into space just last month. It could be the only operational space station in the world once the International Space Station retires by 2024. Shenzhou 11 blasted off on a Long March 2F launch rocket from the the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert at 7:30 a.m. (07:30 p.m. EDT) carrying two astronauts into orbit. The taikonauts, as Chinese astronauts are called, will spend 30 days aboard the experimental Tiangong 2 space laboratory, in what to date would be the longest stay in space by Chinese astronauts. The mission and earlier launches are considered parts of a broader plan by China to set up a permanent manned station in space around the year 2022 as well as provide pointers for possible manned mission to the Moon or even planet Mars. The Tiangong 2 space laboratory, or "Heavenly Palace 2" that will serve as home for the two astronauts for the next month, was launched into space just last month. It could be the only operational space station in the world once the International Space Station retires by 2024. http://www.techtimes.com/articles/181698/20161010/china-s-tiangong-2-may-be-the-only-space-station-left-when-the-iss-retires-in-2024.htm "You are going to travel in space to pursue the space dream of the Chinese nation," Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, told taikonauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong during a meeting early on Monday. "We wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return." http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-space-idUSKBN12G10V The mission would mark the third spaceflight for mission commander Jing Haipeng, who will also celebrate his 50th birthday in orbit. It is first the space mission for flight engineer Chen Dong. China's human space program chief commander Zhang Youxia called the launch of the spacecraft successful. "The rocket is flying according to its original plan and the Shenzhou spacecraft has entered into its preliminary orbit," Zhang Youxia said. "The solar panel has been unfolded and the crew is in great condition. Hereby I announce the launch of Shenzhou-11 is a complete success." http://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-launches-two-astronauts-on-long-duration-flight/ Shenzhou 11, which means "Divine Vessel", also carries three experiments that were designed by middle school students in Hong Kong. The experiments, which include one that involves taking silk worms into space, were selected in a science competition. China is the third country in the world after Russia and the U.S. to conduct a crewed space mission. In 2013, the country successfully landed the Jade Rabbit rover on the moon, albeit the probe later suffered severe technical difficulties. China has lately been working on its space program for commercial, military and scientific purposes. http://www.techtimes.com/articles/182500/20161017/shenzhou-11-spacecraft-blasts-off-with-two-astronauts-for-chinas-longest-manned-space-mission.htm
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    AndrewGVN's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/04/2015
    NASA deserves more funding, scientific research is crucial to the future state of the world.
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    Volodoscope's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/15/2015
    Fund research to be leaders in the world again and not fall behind China and Japan in space and robotic innovations. It's embarrassing.
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    Patrick's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/27/2015
    NASA is the most important government agency in influencing the future for the U.S. and the rest of humanity. I think NASA should be the most well-funded government department of all.
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    StratonGarrard's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/15/2015
    How about we transfer funding away from the military and large business subsidies and transfer that to NASA.
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    Joshua's Opinion In Favor
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    01/02/2016
    I know very little about the specifics of this bill or how it will effect NASA but I'm always in favor of more funding for them. No other organization has such a profound influence on our imaginations and our future.
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    John's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/24/2015
    NASA is one of the few agencies that has paid for itself 100 times over through scientific innovation and prestige from global leadership in space.
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    Seeya's Opinion Against
    ···
    09/23/2015
    Hussein has turned nasa into a Muslim outreach program, scrap it; they don't even have a shuttle....
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    James's Opinion Against
    ···
    11/20/2016
    NASA needs more money, not less if we ever want to stop relying on the Russians to launch our astronauts. I'm against this bill because it does not give NASA enough resources to actually accomplish what it needs to do.
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    Gary's Opinion Against
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    06/29/2016
    Full funding.
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    David's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/25/2015
    NASAis valuable Their funding should be increased.
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    Terry's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/28/2015
    Stop deficits. Period. We don' have the money for additional funds. BAD!
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    Marvin's Opinion In Favor
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    06/17/2015
    Why not? We might find something helpful to humanity.
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    AlanMimms's Opinion In Favor
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    07/05/2016
    Funding to encourage commercial space and space science and technology in general could very well save us from our global warming, energy, food production, materials shortage, and other serious problems we have to deal with as our population approaches 8 billion. We need to treat space as a place and we need to build the infrastructure it takes to exploit its resources.
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    America's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Not right now. Other things are more important, like our military.
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    Scott's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    08/06/2015
    So we stop being so stupid, nationally. And, am I the only person who is offended that we now rely on Russia and Europe to send so many of our satellites into space? What's next, contracting out to India? Being a superpower won't last much longer if we allow tea party agendas to treat our status as God given, instead of scientifically motivated prioritization.
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    JM's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/03/2015
    Money is not "wasted" when spent on space exploration. Someone has to build the stuff that we send up there! NASA is the US' greatest brand export to the world--it has made children dream of being an astronaut for generations at this point. Funding well spent.
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    Mark's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/02/2015
    NASA has proven over and over again to be a money maker for the private sector through their research. NASA barely gets any founding in comparison to the rest of the yearly budget; Americans are so naïve that they think the opposite. Since we are no longer in a long term ground wars such as Iraq or Afghanistan, then can afford to found the worlds greatest space exploration administration. If you think otherwise then obviously you let GOP fat cats brain wash you into believing lies.
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