Senate
Op-ed | The next space age
Outer space is the last frontier of human exploration. Unfortunately, the glory days of landing men on the moon are now a distant memory. So too are the memories of watching space shuttles rumble to life and roar to space fading away. That is poised to change and America is ready to lead the way.
Senate bill restores funding for NASA science and technology demonstration missions
A fiscal year 2019 spending bill approved by a Senate appropriations subcommittee June 12 offers $21.3 billion for NASA, including funding for several missions slated for cancellation in the administration’s budget request.
Senate bill increases funding for FAA commercial space office but seeks regulatory reform
Senate appropriators offered a budget increase to the Federal Aviation Administration office that licenses commercial launches, while also calling on the office to streamline its regulatory processes.
Senators reiterate opposition to ISS transition proposal
Members of the Senate space subcommittee used a June 6 hearing to once again express opposition to the administration’s proposal to end NASA funding of the International Space Station in 2025.
Bridenstine offers senators reassurances on NASA programs
In his first congressional testimony since becoming NASA administrator a month ago, Jim Bridenstine sought to reassure Senate appropriators about the status of several agency programs threatened with cancellation, as well as his own views on climate change.
Senators, inspector general question NASA ISS transition plans
Testimony by NASA’s Inspector General at a May 16 hearing provided new support to efforts by two senators to block plans to end funding of the International Space Station in 2025.
Cruz remains opposed to ending ISS in mid-2020s
The chairman of the Senate’s space subcommittee vowed May 8 to block any attempt by the administration to end operations of the International Space Station in the mid-2020s.
Senate votes to confirm Bridenstine as NASA administrator
The most contentious nomination process for a NASA administrator in the agency’s six-decade history came to an end April 19 when the Senate voted to confirm Jim Bridenstine.
Senate moving towards vote on Bridenstine nomination
After a months-long impasse, the Senate may vote to confirm Jim Bridenstine as the next administrator of NASA later this week.
House members call on Senate to confirm Bridenstine as NASA administrator
A letter signed by more than 60 House members calls on the Senate to advance the stalled nomination of fellow congressman Jim Bridenstine to be NASA administrator.
Negotiations continue on final 2018 omnibus spending bill
With a stopgap spending bill set to expire in just over a week, House and Senate appropriators are continuing to negotiate provisions of an omnibus bill, including funding levels for some NASA programs.
Congressmen criticize stalled NASA administrator nomination
Several members of the House Science Committee used a hearing on NASA's latest budget proposal March 7 to criticize the Senate for not acting on the nomination of one of their colleagues to lead the agency.
Senators press administration for ISS transition plan
Two senators who have previously expressed opposition to a proposal to end NASA funding of the International Space Station in 2025 have sent letters to NASA and the White House asking for details about an overdue ISS transition report.
Brief shutdown offers warning of impacts to government and commercial space
The first federal government shutdown in more than four years came to a swift end Jan. 22 but served as a warning of what a future shutdown could do to both government and commercial space efforts.
Senate committee advances NASA and NOAA nominations again
A Senate committee voted on party lines Jan. 18 to advance the nominations of individuals to lead NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, although with no clear indication of when, or if, they will be confirmed by the full Senate.
White House resubmits NASA and NOAA nominations
The White House formally resubmitted nominations for leaders of both NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the Senate Jan. 8, a procedural move even as the path to their confirmations becomes narrower.
