Udall Urges Conrad to Question Nussle on NASA Funding

(Washington, DC)  As part of an ongoing effort by the House Committee on Science and Technology to highlight and address the dire funding situation at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO) has enlisted the help of Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND).

The growing mismatch between the financial resources being provided to NASA by the Administration and the tasks that NASA is being asked to carry out are of key concern.

Senator Conrad’s Committee is set to begin confirmation hearings tomorrow with former House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle for the post Director of the Office of Management and Budget.   Udall urged Conrad to seize this opportunity to gauge Nussle’s views on NASA funding as they stand to impact the Agency throughout the remainder of the current Administration.

“Members of Congress with oversight responsibilities for NASA had hoped to discuss the mismatch between NASA funding and priorities with President Bush, but the White House declined our request for such a meeting,” wrote Chairman Udall.  “However, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget also plays a major role in determining the budgetary priorities of any Administration.  If Mr. Nussle is confirmed, his views of NASA’s programs and their relative importance will have a major impact on NASA’s budgets for the remainder of this Administration.”

Click here for a copy of the full letter from Chairman Udall to Chairman Nussle.