Space Leadership Act Pops up in House Appropriations Bill for NASA

A proposal that would appoint the NASA administrator for a six year term and establish an 11-member advisory council to advise the administration and Congress  has been included in the House Appropriations bill covering funding for FY 2014 and FY 2015.

H.R. 2687 states that administrators could be reappointed to additional terms after serving for six years. Members of the advisory council, who would also serve for six years, would include:

• 5 members appointed by the president;
• 2 members appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
• 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
• 2 members appointed by the speaker of the House;
• 1 member appointed by the House minority leader.

Members of the council would include prominent former astronauts or scientists or engineers who are eminent in relevant fields and selected based on their distinguished service. The goal would be to include a balance of views on the council.

The council would meet at least twice annually and would be charged with reviewing the President’s budget and provide expert advice to the Executive branch and the relevant Congressional committees.