Aderholt Statement on the Senate NASA Authorization Bill Vote in the House
Statement
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) tonight issued the following statement after voting for the Senate NASA Authorization Act of 2010 in the House. The bill passed by a vote of 304 to 118.
Rep. Aderholt serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, as a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee, which is responsible for funding NASA.
"NASA has always been very important to me and to our nation's technology and science capabilities. Furthermore, I think most Americans want the U.S. to remain a world-leader in the new frontier and that's why this year's debate over NASA's direction has been so crucial."
"For about a year, we have fought the President's plan to cancel Constellation and replace it with an unproven commercial program with very little accountability and safety. That's why I have supported the House NASA Authorization bill because it boldly rejected the President's proposal and it provided a stronger human space flight plan through a traditional government option. I also supported Chairman Gordon's compromise bill. However, the House leadership did not bring either of these bills to the floor for an up-or-down vote or allow for amendments to the Senate bill."
"I decided to vote for the Senate NASA Authorization Bill because it is the only option, perhaps for many months, for ending the limbo created by the Administration's desire to end Constellation. The Senate NASA Authorization Bill proposes to begin immediate, vigorous work on a heavy lift rocket and I look forward to seeing that program develop properly."
"I am not convinced this Administration is serious about human spaceflight goals beyond the Space Station, so I will be working with my colleagues to help make our space program goals worthy of this great nation. I will work with Senator Shelby and the rest of the Alabama delegation during the Appropriations process to enable Marshall to move ahead on an appropriate heavy-lift rocket plan. I also promise to closely watch how the Administration implements the policy of this bill. I can assure you that there will be an unusual level of congressional oversight and scrutiny given to how these taxpayer dollars are spent."
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