A big part of it is to punish Texas and chase republicans out.
Punish Republicans in Texas? Yep! But Obama is accomplishing much more than that. Take a look a NASA's facilities around the Country.
Obama taking out NASA is like a brain surgeon working with a shape knife. He's punishing the self sufficient, educated and skilled middle class Aerospace workers, Aerospace contractors, and Aerospace investors. These normally aren't 'Holder's People'. They are typically Republican even if living in a blue county or state.
The money saved can be 'invested' in the dimocrat voter base.