Posted on 02/01/2007 9:45:45 AM PST by Fitzcarraldo
PRESS RELEASE
Date Released: Wednesday, January 31, 2007
< Source: Rep. Dave Weldon
If Enacted, Would Be Worst Cuts to Space Exploration Since 1993
Urges Senate to Reverse Irresponsible Choice by House Dems
In a fiscal year 2007 budget released today, the new Democrat majority proposed sweeping cuts to NASA's budget that could jeopardized the future of space exploration. U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D. (R-FL), who represents many workers from NASA and Kennedy Space Center, called the cuts draconian, saying the Democrat leadership is using NASA and our nation's space program as a piggy bank for other liberal spending priorities.
"The raid on NASA's budget has begun in earnest. The cuts announced today by House Democrat leaders, if approved by Congress, would be nearly $400 million less than NASA's current budget," said Weldon.
"Clearly, the new Democrat leadership in the House isn't interested in space exploration. Their omnibus proposal lists hundreds of new increases, including a $1.3 billion increase‹over 40% for a Global AIDS fund, all at the expense of NASA."
Much of the proposed cuts would come from NASA's Exploration budget, which includes funding for the new Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the future replacement for the current shuttle fleet. According to Weldon, these particular cuts would jeopardize thousands of jobs in Florida, Alabama, and Texas.
Weldon today led a bi-partisan group of colleagues, including Reps. Ralph Hall (D-TX), and Tom Feeney (R-FL), in offering two amendments to the bill that would restore NASA's funding.
"Rank-and-file Democrats and Republicans alike are aghast at the treatment the Democrat Leadership has shown to NASA. To gut the exploration account in particular is clearly meant to be a stick in the eye to the President and the initiative he announced three years ago."
Speaker Pelosi is not expected to allow any amendments to today's omnibus bill, continuing the closed legislative process that has plagued the current Congress since its opening day. Consequently, Weldon said the future of NASA funding will likely hinge on the Senate.
"The Senate leadership, including Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), has yet to speak to the draconian cuts being proposed. I hope they're alerted to the message the House sent today and will propose funding in line with NASA's overall mission and the President's original request to ensure a smooth transition to the new launch vehicle."
Not going to try to change the mind of some one who has it made up. But you do remind me of several things. People used to say the world was flat... they found out is wasn't, They thought if man were meant to fly he would have been given wings... today flight is a fact of life. Columbus' expedition was considered a waste of money. Flight was considered a waste of money. So you would rather enable the victim mentality of another generation of "Plebes" than take a leap of faith. Good for you. You can stay here on earth with both feet on the ground while the rest of us reach for the stars and our dreams.
The mere fact that you can sit at a computer today is thanks to the space program. But its a waste of money. You remind me of a democrat.
That's a reasonable conclusion. Current NASA plans don't seriously address the R&D required to enable molecular nanotechnology (MNT), that could eventually open the door to new possibilities for manned space hardware development and operations.
It would be no problem for us to shoot "them" down before they get to the moon, and it wouldn't require astronauts.
Wow. 273 out of a country of 300 million. That sounds like getting our money's worth...Can you imagine what we could have done with all that money?
I believe they were saying that about Russia only a little while ago...In the 40's they were saying Learn German. Your scare tactics are fine, but it is costing us money.
Even Earth-based telescopes, with new adaptive optic technology at high-altitude sites are exceeding capabilities once thought only possible from a lunar observatory or orbit.
Did you miss the post that showed all of the inventions you are now using because of the space program?
Interesting point. Many years ago, I was visiting the Kennedy Space Center in FL and, while wandering around the tourist center I stumbled into an unmarked room off to the side that was packed with commercial products that have been brought into our lives as a result of the manned space program. It was eye opening to say the least. . . . . and astonishing that the room was unmarked. The investment in manned space exploration may seem like money squandered . . . . . . just like the computer we are all typing our comments on to be posted to this website. One way or another, there is a connection (direct or indirect) to the manned space program.
You would shoot the Chinese astronauts on their way to the moon? For what reason?
We're not going to use it, why shouldn't the Chinese?
Do a search on Operation Paperclip. My dad was a career AF officer and part of that operation.
Well I can assure you that I am not a Democrat and just because I agree with you on probably 99.99 percent of the issues that we have does not make me sound like a Democrat, but I do appreciate your post and although I know that we have had some great inventions from space, I still don't like spending the money.
Did they post it today? I did not see it.
The best weapon the Chinese will ever have is a hidden nuke in a shipping container.
Uh-huh. And China shooting down a satellite isn't of any concern to you?
Do you feel comfortable with China having the proverbial high ground?
How do you know it is an offensive capability? Are you going to watch from the space station or the ground?
Please realize that China destroyed a satellite using a rocket launched from the ground as it passed through its "airspace", 500 miles up. A moonbase would not improve their ability to shoot down satellites, give the distance of 240,000 miles.
My guess is that means increased welfare payments. More free money for people who stay home and don't do any work. Well, diss NASA and its workers if you want, but at least they show up for work.
So you're going to give up your computer?
The internet and the computer you access it with are all products of the space program.
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