Bill Posey

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) delivered the following statement today before the House Budget Committee regarding closing the human space flight gap and keeping America first in space:

“Chairman Spratt, Ranking Member Ryan, Members of the Committee:

“Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.  You have likely already heard a great deal about the President’s FY 2011 budget request for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  Today, I appear before this Committee to ask that the Committee provide NASA with sufficient resources to continue Shuttle operations through at least Fiscal Year 2011, sufficiently fund Constellation and see that the space gap between the two is minimized.  I am here to tell you why this is the wisest policy.

“The plan for human space flight, as outlined by the Administration, is significantly lacking in detail and appears to have been developed with little or no coordination with public and private stakeholders.

“One glaring example is NASA’s announced decision to seek termination of the Constellation program.  This decision will adversely impact our nation’s solid-rocket-motor industrial base, which is critical to our military. In a report from last June to the Congress, the Air Force said that delays in the Constellation program could have significant negative impact on the industrial base.  When questioned about this issue last week, Air Force Secretary Donley testified that “we have a challenge on the solid-rocket-motor industrial base and on the booster industrial base.”

“NASA is making the decision in a vacuum, and does not fully understand, or at least obviously does not take into consideration, the much broader military, industrial, and economic implications. The plan, and I use that term lightly, demands considerably more discussion and public scrutiny.  I am very concerned that they continue to develop this plan “on the fly” and that it is irresponsible for the Congress to embrace it without considerably more input from all the stakeholders.

“Over the course of the last year we lost precious time in charting a course for the future for our nation’s human space flight program. NASA remained without an Administrator for much of the year, and NASA was essentially placed on hold as the Augustine Committee undertook a review of our nation’s human space flight program.  All the while NASA continued to approach the impending retirement of the Shuttle fleet.  Over the years, the Constellation program continued to be underfunded.

“The Augustine Committee report made clear what many of us already knew:  If America is to have a robust space exploration program it must have a budget to match it.  That, my friends, is the essential question before you and this Congress. Are we going to continue to have a robust space program and continue on the path forged by John F. Kennedy? Or, are we going to return to the days of Sputnik, when the United States took a back seat to space exploration. Are we going to cede space to Russia and China? Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham recently said that the Administration’s proposal “accelerates America’s downward spiral toward mediocrity in space exploration.”

“I think Apollo 17 astronaut and former U.S. Senator Harrison Schmitt summarized it best last week when he wrote that this proposal “would cede the Moon to China, the American Space Station to Russia, and assign liberty to the ages.  Other [nations] would accrue the benefits –psychological, political, economic, and scientific – that the United States harvested as a consequence of Apollo’s success 40 years ago. This lesson has not been lost on our ideological and economic competitors.

“It is my sincere hope that it will not be lost on this Congress either.  This Committee is the one that will take the first step regarding the President’s NASA budget.  I urge you, my colleagues, to think about the future we are building for our children and grandchildren. Will it be a future where we do mediocre things or will it be one where we embark to accomplish bold things?

“Some have suggested that this is a question of jobs. That is true. The lives of tens of thousands of Americans will be disrupted if the Administration’s proposal is adopted.  There will be 10,000 direct jobs and according to a recent economic impact assessment as many as 23,000 jobs will be lost – almost immediately – in my district and that of Rep Suzanne Kosmas to my north.  We are still waiting on a current NASA Workforce Transition Strategy report.  The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 requires NASA to produce this strategy every six months; the last one Congress received is from July of 2009.  This is further evidence of a failure to plan for the future and follow Congressional intent.  We need a better landing and a smoother transition for our nation’s premier space launch workforce.  This is a highly skilled workforce that cannot be replaced, and will be lost if we travel down the proposed path.

“Space exploration touches the life of every American.  Our space program has generated thousands of inventions and spinoffs that have translated directly into the creation of tens of thousands of jobs right here in America.  If we accept the Administration’s plan, we will be abandoning a robust space program.  They may protest that it is not abandonment, but that is exactly what it is.  And, as a result we will lose these future benefits, and we will see China, Russia, India and others become the beneficiaries of a robust and superior space program.

“Countless products in our homes, offices, cars and airplanes owe their existence or widespread use to space exploration. Yet we often take for granted cell phones, GPS, carbon monoxide detectors, Velcro, lithium batteries, and advanced weather forecasting, just to name a few.  We will be compromising advanced micro-gravity research.  It is no doubt that our space  program leads to cutting edge, high-skilled jobs and inspires the leaders of tomorrow to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.  Among great human achievements, space exploration is inspiring in a way like no other.

“Under the current plan, NASA is betting our nations’ entire space program on yet unproven commercial vendors.  I am very supportive of commercial, but I am concerned about sole reliance on entrepreneurs for the short-term.  NASA has taken the mistaken step of once again putting Russia in the critical path for our research on the International Space Station.   We saw how this almost jeopardized the ISS from the very outset and raised the cost of the ISS.

“The Committee should also be aware that retiring the Shuttle will generate far less in savings that what has generally been believed.  This is due to several factors.  By abandoning the Shuttle prior to fulfilling our commitments to fly foreign astronauts to the ISS through 2020, NASA will incur hundreds of millions in costs associated with purchasing seats for foreign astronauts on Russian vehicles – a price Russian Space Agency officials just said they would raise once they are the only game in town.  Also, hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure costs will not turn into savings as many assume, but rather those costs will continue to recur but from an accounting perspective will be assigned to another account.

“According to the Augustine Committee, and information I have received from NASA, the annual cost of flying the Shuttle may cost up to about $1.3 billion for two flights per year. However, that cost can be cut significantly based on discussions with the contractors who currently operate the Shuttle for NASA.  I would ask the Committee provide sufficient funding to allow up to two shuttle flights in Fiscal Year 2011 for the many reasons I have outlined for you. Thus, for a budget equal to a fraction of one percent of the stimulus, we can extend the Shuttle for one year and provide a smoother transition for our nation’s space program and tens of thousands of dedicated workers.

“Furthermore, although the Shuttle’s current manifest includes four remaining launches, NASA needs to act now to assure that even these missions are completed.  NASA’s current, inflexible policy on flying the Shuttle beyond calendar year 2010 jeopardizes the last scheduled Shuttle mission, which would transport the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) to ISS.  It is my understanding that this mission may not be ready until spring of 2011, beyond NASA’s arbitrary deadline.  Fully funding Shuttle operations through FY 2011 will not only provide for smoother transition, but it will ensure that our commitments to our international partners regarding the AMS are fully met.  Absent the Shuttle, there is no means of getting AMS to the ISS. Let’s also remember that Endeavor just completed its 24th mission.  It was designed for 100 missions.

“In addition to extending Shuttle operations, the Committee should provide sufficient funding to continue with the Constellation program. It makes little sense to abandon Constellation given the investments already made and the termination costs estimated to be in the range of $2.5 billion.  We had a successful test flight of the Ares 1-X rocket in October and are building on that success.

“Congress must act today to save our space program. The plan presented by the Administration has gaping holes and is not ready for prime time.  They need to go back to the drawing board and the Congress needs to join with the voices of our nation’s space pioneers like Gene Cernan, the last human to walk on the moon, who said last week, “Now is the time for wiser heads in Congress to prevail. Now is the time to overrule…mediocrity.  Now is the time to be bold, innovative and wise in deciding how we invest in the future of America.”

“We have a come a long way since Alan Shepard became the first American in space in 1961.  I urge you, my colleagues, to work together to ensure that our 50 years of leadership in space is not abandoned. America is looking to us for leadership.”

Charlie Crist

“I am concerned that President Obama’s decision to end NASA’s Constellation program, and prematurely conclude the nation’s significant investment in moon exploration, may place the nation’s space leadership role in question. Without a bold policy and goal for the future of American space exploration, we may cede our nations’ premier space leadership to other countries.

“Despite today’s announcement, there are significant opportunities for Florida in the commercial space industry, and I will work aggressively to ensure Florida is prepared to capitalize on these possibilities.”

Bill Posey

U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, acknowledged what he termed a “friendly crowd” as it broke into applause when he spoke of efforts to cut off federal funding for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) because of voter fraud.

Posey was applauded often during a visit Friday to the Indian River County Administration Complex. People filled the seats and lined the walls of the County Commission Chambers, and latecomers had to watch the proceedings on televisions outside the chambers.

Prior to addressing the public and talking their questions, Posey met with various public officials in a conference room at the complex. In both cases, he decried what he viewed as excessive spending and regulation under the current administration.

He contended there is an animosity in the halls of Washington toward business that extends beyond Wall Street and impacts the nation’s small businesses.

While unemployment rises, Posey said the proposed national health care legislation and cap and trade legislation, designed to control carbon emissions, will cost millions of jobs.

He also complained that the crafting of some of the federal legislation is not being done in the open. Posey received loud applause when he talked of calling for a requirement that would give lawmakers three days to review proposed legislation before acting on it.

Speaking of an issue that is a hot topic for those living in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral, Posey called for a smoother transition between the space shuttle program and the upcoming Orion program, which could transport astronauts to the moon, Mars and elsewhere in the solar system.

A three-year gap between the ending of the shuttle program and the launch of the Orion program has now grown to five to seven years. He wants to close that gap.

“It’s a matter of national security and economic survival for this nation and particularly this region,” said Posey.

Bill Posey

WASHINGTON, DC – This afternoon Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) delivered a speech on the House Floor discussing the need to invest more in our nation’s space program. In his speech, Posey outlined what a day without NASA spinoff products would be like.

“NASA has been at the cutting edge of technology, leading to many devices and luxuries that we use every day,” said Congressman Posey who worked on the Apollo 11 mission as a young man.

Posey used his time on the floor to also speak about contaminated Chinese drywall which has been used recently to build hundreds of homes in Florida and across the country.

“It’s a critical time for NASA and our nation’s leadership in space.

“With the looming retirement of the Space Shuttle and the risk of a growing space gap, we risk losing tens of thousands of additional jobs across the U.S.

“These are jobs in industries that develop the cutting edge technology which raises our living standards and helps American businesses compete.

“NASA has been at the cutting edge of technology, leading to many devices and luxuries that we use every day.

“Imagine what a day without NASA products would be like:

“First, you may not have had a good night’s sleep if you normally rest on that temper foam mattress or pillow – originally developed by NASA as a shock absorber.  You may have even overslept without NASA’s quartz timing in your alarm clock.

“Being green won’t help you get ready for work in the morning if you have a solar water heater installed on your roof.  Many cosmetics, toothpaste and perfumes find their roots in NASA.

“Before you head out the door, you may have difficulty getting an accurate weather forecast due to the lack of weather satellites coming out of our nation’s space program.

“Better use a landline telephone to call work and let them know you’re running late because cell phones and other wireless devices are out of service on a day without NASA derived technology.

“Getting to work might be a challenge as well particularly if you drive a hybrid.  The lithium-ion battery in your hybrid was developed with NASA engineering expertise and tested at Kennedy Space Center.  Get rid of that temper foam seat if you ride motorcycle to work.

“Don’t plan on flying to that vacation or important job conference.  NASA developed flight-tracking and management software is used by air traffic controllers.  It probably won’t surprise you that flight safety software was developed by NASA.  Just in case you still find yourself on an airplane, it may be a bumpy ride without NASA software that informs pilots of turbulent conditions.

“Work may be a little difficult too without access to NASA computer technology and wireless headsets.

“On an unrelated but important topic –

“As a member of the Contaminated Drywall Caucus and Representative of an area impacted by contaminated drywall, I wanted to take a few minutes to draw the attention of my colleagues to this issue.

“Between the 2004 and 2008 many homes were been built using what has turned out to be organically contaminated drywall.

“Homes in 26 states and the District of Columbia are affected

“It is particularly problematic in areas, like Florida, with high humidity.

“A little over a year ago, it was discovered that the source of a number of corrosion issues and health symptoms were likely due to contaminated drywall that originating from China.

“Since then we’ve been working to find a solution and what we’ve discovered is disturbing.

“The contaminated drywall contains toxic and semi-toxic substances which release harmful gases.

“Many of these homes are filled with a pungent sulfuric odor which has since been linked to adverse health conditions.

“Some families have already been forced to move out of their homes for fear of long term health effects.

“These gases are also responsible for devastating corrosion to many standard household systems such as copper and brass fittings, air compressor coils, electrical systems, and even fire alarms.

“We don’t know if there is a valid remediation protocol short of pulling all the contaminated boards out and replacing them.

“The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been tasked as the lead Federal agency and is working with Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency to find solutions.

“The Consumer Product Safety Commission will soon release a study to answer some of the questions. They are also working on a remediation protocol.

“The Consumer Product Safety Commission must work closely with all parties, seriously consider the results of private studies, and share the results of their own studies with all stakeholders. We need all parties to be a part of a quick and permanent solution.

“I ask all of my colleagues to join me in thanking all those who are working hard on this issue and in calling on the CPSC to bring forward their study results quickly.”

Bill Posey

In May, the Obama administration authorized a committee of experts to review current and activities for human space flight as undertaken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee’s findings, scheduled to come out in late August or early September, will play a significant role in shaping our nation’s human space flight programs for generations to come.

Though appointed by NASA at the request of the administration, this panel of experts ultimately owes its allegiance and diligence to the American people. In some ways our space program has become a victim of its own success. The abundance of NASA spinoffs — cell phones, laptops, GPS — has resulted in many Americans taking for granted, or failing to appreciate altogether, how space exploration has directly benefited their lives. The committee’s report could have a significant impact on our ability as a nation to continue in our technological and scientific advances.

Space exploration is the one thing for which the United States is undeniably, unequivocally and universally respected around the world. But our international competitors are eager to catch up. Russia, China, India, and others are challenging our position as the world leader in aerospace. We should not and cannot afford to surrender this leadership to others. Not for the sake of national pride but because it is an integral part of our future and will inspire future generations of Americans. We must press the envelope and lead the world. Additionally, we all realize the vital implications at stake in regards to our national security; whoever dominates space will control what security we have here on Earth.

President John F. Kennedy, like the Wright brothers, inspired a generation with his vision of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.” As a young man, I was inspired by that vision and joined thousands of other Americans to work on the Apollo program to see the vision fulfilled. Forty years ago, almost to the day, we succeeded. Soon thereafter, however, tens of thousands of us received our pink slips. As we approach the Space Shuttle’s retirement and our temporary dependence on the Russians for access to the space station, we must be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Our talented work force cannot simply be laid off and then rehired a few years later.

I have urged the committee to highlight in their report ways to minimize the U.S. gap with the Shuttle’s successor program to maintain our high-skilled space work force. Furthermore, I asked the committee to think outside the arbitrary budget numbers placed on NASA — $18.8 billion out of a total $3.6 trillion budget, less than half a percent of the federal budget.

If we are serious about maintaining our leadership in space and wish to continue as a beneficiary of space exploration, policy makers need to know what the best options are overall. Budgets are a reality, but proper leadership can and should match the budget to a worthy mission — not the mission to the budget. Finally, I reminded the committee of the importance of vision in inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.

Posey, R-Rockledge, represents the northern Treasure Coast in the U.S. House.

Suzanne Kosmas

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure authored by Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) that will provide assistance to small businesses affected by the retirement of the Space Shuttle so they can commercialize their products and preserve jobs. The Kosmas Amendment gives preference to these small businesses when they apply for commercialization grants through the Small Businesses Innovation and Research (SBIR) program.

The Kosmas Amendment was included in the Enhancing Small Business Innovation and Research Act (HR 2965), bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes and increases funding for the successful SBIR program. SBIR is a competitive grants program that encourages small businesses to invest in research and development. The Kosmas Amendment was adopted by a 400-15 vote and the full legislation passed the House 386-41.

“As we work to minimize the spaceflight gap, I want to make sure that the hundreds of small businesses involved with the Shuttle program have the support they need to move forward and keep their employees,” said Congresswoman Kosmas. “The SBIR program has proven successful in helping innovative businesses find a market for their products, and my amendment will give Shuttle-related small businesses a leg up in the grants process.”

The Small Business Innovation and Research Act modernizes the government’s largest small business research and development programs, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, more than doubling the amount of the grants small businesses can apply for (to $250,000 for early stage research and $2 million for later stage research) and helping them engage in cutting-edge research.

The legislation cuts down on red tape in the SBIR and STTR programs, so that participating companies spend less time doing paperwork and more time getting products to market. By establishing a 90-day timeline for issuing a final decision on an SBIR application, the measure will help firms receive SBIR funding in a timely manner. The bill also puts a greater emphasis on helping smaller firms bring their products to market.

Since 1992, the SBIR and STTR programs have awarded 65,000 grants to small companies that are leading research efforts to cure diseases, strengthen national defense and reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources. Without action by Congress, these programs will expire later this month.

For more info on the SBIR and STTR programs, please visit www.sbir.gov