U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration's release of its NASA budget proposal:

“The administration’s budget for NASA is a nonstarter,” said Nelson. “If we’re ever going to get to Mars with humans on board and return them safely, then we need a larger funding increase for NASA.  The proposal would also end support for the International Space Station in 2025 and make deep cuts to popular education and science programs.  Turning off the lights and walking away from our sole outpost in space at a time when we’re pushing the frontiers of exploration makes no sense.”