Florida Politicians Criticize Obama’s NASA Plan

Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center

Florida Rep. Suzanne Kosmas and Sen. Bill Nelson released separate statements criticizing President Barack Obama’s plan to end NASA’s lunar program and refocus its efforts toward commercial space operations.

Rep. Suzanne Kosmas

“Though we are still awaiting the full budget details scheduled to be released next week, I am deeply concerned by what Administration officials have said about the President’s proposal for NASA. I agree with extending use of the International Space Station and I am a strong supporter of commercial spaceflight, but I do not think we can rely on commercial flights alone for access to space and the ISS. If we are not moving forward with a specific vision for a next generation vehicle, then we need to take steps to safely extend the Shuttle program in order to fully support the Space Station.

Sen. Bill Nelson

If early reports for what the White House wants to do with NASA are correct, then the president’s green-eyeshade-wearing advisors are dead wrong. And I, for one, intend to stand up and fight for NASA, and for the thousands of people who stand to lose their jobs.

Look, our space program is the very reason very we have products like GPS systems, special firefighter equipment, climate change and hurricane satellites, auto airbags, and health care devices such as kidney and heart pumps and Lasik surgery.

NASA also has enabled America to have the most advanced satellite technology for national security purposes.

And it has been NASA that has inspired generations of young Americans to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering – keeping the U.S. a global leader in those fields.

“I also firmly believe that a robust space exploration program is critical for our economy and for inspiring future generations to excel in science and technology for the 21st Century. The President’s proposal would leave NASA with essentially no program and no timeline for exploration beyond Earth’s orbit.

“The President pledged that he would minimize the spaceflight gap, but without a plan for exploration beyond research and development, he is threatening to turn the gap into an abyss with no end in sight. The Space Coast and communities across the country have been looking to the President for leadership and a bold vision for the future of space exploration, and after months of delays he seems to be falling short. It is simply unacceptable and I will fight back, along with my colleagues from both parties, to maintain a robust space program and to preserve as many Space Coast jobs as possible.”