Boehlert and Calvert Applaud Passage of NASA Authorization Bill

WASHINGTON – House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) today applauded the Senate’s passage early this morning of the conference report for S. 1281, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 2005.  The legislation, which passed the House on December 17, now heads to the President to be signed into law.

Boehlert said, “I’m very pleased that the NASA Authorization bill will now go to the President for his signature.  Enactment will mean that NASA has clear direction as a multi-mission agency for the coming years, and Congress will have the tools it needs to oversee the agency at this critical time.  This is the culmination of a year-long bipartisan effort in both the House and Senate, and it will help set the stage for next year’s appropriations debates.” 

“Senate passage of S. 1281 culminates a year’s worth of effort by the House, Senate and the Administration,” said Calvert, lead sponsor of the House version of the bill, H.R. 3070.  “This bill will provide the ‘rules and tools’ to help America succeed in the Second Space Age.”