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.
I doubt he’s doing it to punish Republicans, though that’s not something he’d regret doing.
Oit is largely to have a slush fund to bribe their constituency.