Austria, Olson Team Up to Demand Accountability from NASA

Representative Steve Austria (R-OH) today joined with Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) to demand accountability and transparency from NASA on placement of the retired shuttle orbiters. This was achieved through report language included in the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill, which funds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other related agencies. The Austria/Olson report language directs NASA to keep Congress apprised of the status of plans to both transfer and display the four Space Shuttle orbiters (Atlantis, Enterprise, Discovery and Endeavour) as well as provide contingency plans if the host cities fail to meet specific criteria and agreed upon milestones.

"The Shuttle Orbiters are a national treasure and they should be treated as such," Rep. Austria said. "This amendment adds language to the report to ensure that, as NASA hands the orbiters over to private organizations there is accountability, conditions are met and they are given the respect that they deserve."

"Taxpayers have a right to know that the cities that are to receive orbiters will fully meet their financial obligations," Rep. Olson said. "If they don't meet those obligations, Congress will hold them accountable and consider alternate options. This is common sense at a time when the federal government is facing record debt. There are other qualified cities that would gladly absorb the cost of hosting an orbiter, so we are putting the recipients of the orbiters and NASA on notice, Congress is watching."

Rep. Austria, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, offered language directing NASA to submit quarterly reports to the Committee on the status of disposition of the four Space Shuttle orbiters. The committee accepted the language as part of the underlying bill.

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