WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today titled Transition and Implementation: the NASA Authorization Act of 2010.

Witness List:

The Honorable John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy

The Honorable Elizabeth Robinson, Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Ms. Cristina Chaplain, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, U.S. Government Accountability Office

Accompanied by:

Ms. Susan A. Poling, Managing Associate General Counsel, U.S. Government Accountability Office

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“Passing the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 into law was the first step. We’re now in the implementation process. This transition is an opportunity to chart a clear course forward for NASA, but we must remain vigilant to ensure implementation throughout the authorization period. Objectives must be achieved in a fiscally responsible manner. I intend to fully exercise this committee’s oversight role throughout the transition and implementation of the NASA Authorization Act.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“I think all of us here fully understand the space program’s singular capacity to inspire future generations of scientist and engineers, and we recognize the crucial role that it plays in advancing scientific discovery, stimulating technological innovation, enhancing international leadership, and buttressing our economic vitality and strength. The Administration looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to achieve our shared goals and ambitions in space as we move forward with these programs.”

The Honorable John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy

“One thing is clear; even with the tremendous accomplishments of our past, NASA's best days are still ahead. NASA is at the beginning of a great adventure that will create opportunities and discoveries for generations and so, like you, NASA is eager to get started on that journey of exploration, both on our home planet and in the stars above.”

The Honorable Elizabeth Robinson, Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

“Regardless of its current restrictions, NASA will need to continue to implement new ways of doing business going forward to reduce acquisition risks that have plagued projects in the past. Critical to this will be ensuring the needs and expectations for a project match the resources available for it, effectively managing costs, increasing transparency into critical phases of development, and strengthening accountability.”

Ms. Cristina Chaplain, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, U.S. Government Accountability Office and Ms. Susan A. Poling, Managing Associate General Counsel, U.S. Government Accountability Office

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