Griffith Votes Yes' for NASA Reauthorization Bill

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Parker Griffith voted to recommit funding for the Constellation Program by voting in favor of the Senate version of the NASA reauthorization bill. The resolution, voted on by the House last night, provides the House Appropriations Committee with a roadmap for NASA funding and priorities.

"Protecting the Constellation Program is a No. 1 priority," said Griffith. "As our economy and country is suffering due to the lack of leadership and vision from the elected leaders in Washington, D.C., the NASA program is suffering the same fate.

"Even though this legislation doesn't fully rehabilitate manned space flight program, it preserves aspects of the Constellation program and builds a roadmap for where the space program should go in the future."

The Senate version of the NASA appropriations bill preserves elements of the Constellation program and would mandate that the shuttle program be continued through the remainder of 2011.

"Over the past year, I have been working with fellow Members of Congress to fight to save our spaceflight program. Layoffs due to the changes NASA has made to existing programs have already begun in my district and in districts across our nation. This legislation would recommit funding for some of the technology needed to maintain elements of manned space flight. This will not save the space flight program, however something must be passed to fund the program and I voted in favor of the compromise to support continued funding to NASA." said Griffith.

Since President Obama announced his proposal to end human space flight, Congressman Griffith has worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to stop the plan and hold the Administration accountable to its activities relating to NASA and any policy change.

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