Res Communis

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty
H.R. 3093: Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, has passed both the House of Representatives (July 26) and the Senate (October 16). The next step are for differences to be resolved between the Senate versions and the House versions. The corresponding Senate bill S. 1745: Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 has been introduced to the Senate and is scheduled for debate.

These bills cover the appropriations for NASA. The House Bill as passed allocates $17.6 billion, which is $1.3 billion more than last years funding and $290 million more than the Administration requested. The President has threatened to veto the bill, and specifically cited the increase in NASA funding as one of the reasons for opposition. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $17.46 billion, which is $1.2 billion more than FY07 and $150 million above the Administration’s request. It is still $139 million below the House Bill.

One of the other significant differences to be ironed out is the inclusion in the House bill of language that would prohibit funds from being used for “any research, development, or demonstration activities related exclusively to the human exploration of Mars.” Similar language is not included in the Senate bill. (hat tip: Space Politics).