The Billion Dollar Question: Can Congress Help NASA?

After facing grueling budget cuts in 2007, the US Senate is trying to offset the damage done towards NASA by rewarding it with an extra billion dollars in 2008.

But with the White House threatening to kill the bill for over spending, one has to wonder whether or not the funds will actually arrive in NASA’s pocket.

(Chron.com) The Senate approved $1 billion in additional funding for NASA on Thursday, with Democrats and Republicans alike ignoring President Bush’s threat to veto any spending bills that exceed his budget proposal. [...]

“We’re thrilled,” said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, who has been working with Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and other Senate budget writers for the past two years to secure the additional money. “This is a major step in the right direction to ensure that America stays at the forefront of being first in space exploration.”

With Congress under pressure to reduce spending, it is unlikely that NASA will receive the extra billion dollars for 2008. This however may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as it would force NASA and NewSpace to work together in order to beat China back to the moon.

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