S. 3180: A bill to prohibit the use of funds for the termination of the Constellation Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes

March 29, 2010 at 8:55 am | Posted in Space Law | Leave a comment

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

S. 3180: A bill to prohibit the use of funds for the termination of the Constellation Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes was introduced on March 25, 2010 by Sen. George LeMieux (R-FL):

S 3180 IS

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3180

To prohibit the use of funds for the termination of the Constellation Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 25, 2010

Mr. LEMIEUX (for himself, Mr. HATCH, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. WICKER, and Mr. COCHRAN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To prohibit the use of funds for the termination of the Constellation Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF CONSTELLATION PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Reaffirmation of Prohibition- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall comply with the provisions of the first proviso under the heading ‘EXPLORATION’ under the heading ‘National Aeronautics and Space Administration’ in the Science Appropriations Act (title III of division B of Public Law 111-117; 123 Stat. 3147), relating to a prohibition on the use of funds for the termination or elimination of any program, project, or activity of the architecture of the Constellation Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(b) Limitation- The provisions of section 1341 of title 31, United States Code (commonly referred to as the ‘Anti-Deficiency Act’), may not be utilized as a basis for the termination or elimination of any contract, program, project, or activity of the Constellation Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(c) Comptroller General Report- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the Constellation Program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The report shall set forth a description and assessment by the Comptroller General of the contracts, programs, projects, or activities of the Constellation Program, if any, that are contrary to law or are experiencing waste, fraud, or abuse.

(d) Current Shuttle Manifest Flight Assurance- The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall take all actions necessary to ensure shuttle launch capability, including not terminating any contractor support that will limit or impair the launching of, at a minimum, the payloads manifested for the shuttle as of the date of the enactment of this Act.