WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement on President Obama’s proposed budget for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Senator Hutchison is working on legislation to allow NASA to extend the shuttle’s service without compromising safety as work continues on the next generation of space vehicle.

“I have seen a number of speculative articles about the Obama Administration’s proposed NASA budget and I will be closely reviewing that proposal when it is released next week.

“I am very concerned by reports NASA’s human space flight programs might become even more severely constrained. I would strongly oppose any further cuts to human space flight funding that would make the United States dependent on foreign nations for manned space access. NASA’s focus must remain on continuing America’s leadership in the use of and research in space. This is essential to secure our economic well-being and security, our technological competitiveness, and our international leadership. 

“I will be working with my colleagues in the Senate to provide additional guidance to NASA in conducting its human space flight planning and in developing the congressional response to the President’s budget, after it is submitted to the Congress.”

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