Excerpt From White House Press Briefing on The President’s Space Policy

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

November 9, 2004

PRESS BRIEFING BY SCOTT McCLELLAN

(Excerpt)

Q Scott, almost a year ago the President outlined plans for expanded space exploration. Yet, that was a subject that rarely came up, if ever, on the campaign trail. I’m wondering — and it hasn’t been —

MR. McCLELLAN: I believe he just talked about it a few weeks ago; we had an astronaut traveling with us one day.

Q Well, it hasn’t been one of the priorities for the coming year. I’m just curious where those plans stand. Are they on the back burner?

MR. McCLELLAN: It’s reflected in our budget and I think it will be reflected in our upcoming budget, as well. Remember, this is a long-term vision that the President outlined for NASA, that made sure that they were focused on a very clearly-defined mission that is based on 10, 20, 30, 40 years down the road. So he remains committed to it.

Thank you.

END 12:18 P.M. EST