Senate Proceeding on Oct 5th, 2009 :: 3:12:35 to 3:19:40
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3:12:26 to 3:12:47( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: literally affecting all of the expanses of our planet and into the outer recesses of the universe, if you want to say. it covers state and local law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts, oceanic and weather research, research, and it keeps our nation competive through investment in

3:12:35 to 3:19:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Richard Shelby

3:12:48 to 3:13:08( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: exploration. mr. president, this bill funds the department of justice and commerce as well as the national aeronautics and space administration that we call nasa nasa, the national science foundation, n.s.f., and a number of independent agencies, including the united states trade representative, the legal services corporation, and the

3:13:09 to 3:13:31( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: international trade commission, just to name a few. mr. president, nothing is more important than the safety, i believe, safety of the american people, our people. the committee's recommendion this evening for the department of justice is

3:13:32 to 3:13:53( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: which is, mr. president, a $311 million over the request. senator mikulski and i have worked to ensure that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies receive the funding need to protect our citizens and our communities. the dertment of commerce is funded in $14 billion. mr. president, $254 million over

3:13:54 to 3:14:15( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: the requested level. this department contains some of our nation's most business development, economic, science and research agencies, including the economi development administration that we know is e.d.a., the national institutes of science and technology, nist, and the national oceanic

3:14:16 to 3:14:38( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: administration that we call noaa. senator mikulski and i have attempted to expand the foundation for our nation's economic future as well as providing researchers with the tools to assess our weather, oceans and environment. of the amount provided to the department of commerce in this bill befor us, $7.3 billion is

3:14:39 to 3:15:00( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: for the 2010 census and $4.8 b increase of $299 million over the request. mr. president, these additional fund research, observation, education, programs. $18.7 billion to move forward

3:15:01 to 3:15:21( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: with the agency's current exploration vision while fully funding the ongoing activities of the space shuttle and the international space station. we are at a challenging point mr. president, in time for the funding of nasa, particularly in human space flight, as you well know. the space shuttle is successfully finishing the

3:15:22 to 3:15:43( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: required deliveries to the space station flights. the international space station has a permanent crew of six which will allow our astronauts to conduct science instead of just station ueep. we're also on the verge, mr. president, of having a test flight of the rockets being developed by nasa to once again

3:15:44 to 3:16:05( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: take humans beyond low-earth orbit. as nasa moves toward retiring the shuttle and leaving the nation without our own human launch vehicle, i believe, mr. president, we must continue to develop our own capabilities not only for missions to the space station but for future expeditions as well. mr. president, while i commend

3:16:06 to 3:16:29( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: their hard work, i find many of the aspects proposed in their summary report to be unsatisfactory and perhaps disappointing. mr. president, i'm baffled by nasa's path forward on the constellation program. this program is built on a foundati technologies using existing capabilities and infrastructure.

3:16:30 to 3:16:52( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: the aris team -- one team will soon launch the first test sight and the groundwork fo heavy-lift vehicle is well under way. and yet, mr. president, instead of simpl providing constellation with funds to move forward, it is delaying the current mission while seeking to have a do-over on plans that have been authorized by both a republican and democrat

3:16:53 to 3:17:14( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: congress. nasa and this administration should never forget that the support of congress will still be necessary to authorize and provide funds as we move forward. mr. president, given the challenges and high cost of access to space, i agree that it's beneficial for at all viable options that could

3:17:15 to 3:17:35( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: be provided by u.s. iustries to support orations on the international space station and future exploration. however, we must do so, i believe, i aealistic way. nasa must support the program that is the greatest likelihood of the benefits that our society has gained from the human space

3:17:36 to 3:17:56( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: flight program is immeasurable. most every if a set of our lives that we know today has been touched by discoveries with human space flight. beyond the direct, tangible benefits, there is also the intangible benefit that comes with knowing that america is leading the world in discovering and exploring new frontiers.

3:17:57 to 3:18:18( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: mr. president, i will not support any future nasa budget request that does not have a robust hum exploration program. it must be a inspires yet is also a program grounded in what is possie and not wisul thinking.

3:18:19 to 3:18:39( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: mr. president, if we no longer prioritize space exploration, we can be certain that others on this planet will. a number of the findings by the augustine commission would guarantee that other nations, such as russia, china, and india, will be waving to us as they fly by the space stati their way to the moon and other

3:18:40 to 3:19:00( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: planets, if we're not careful. we cannot de our leadership in space, and we human space exploration program. if we're losing global market still the leader in human space i will not support a nasa that squanders that need, and i hope

3:19:01 to 3:19:21( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: the senate won't. simply put, mr. president, if that were to happen, i would not support a visionless nasa, and i don't believe the congress will. in conclusion, i want to thank again chairwoman of this committee, for her leadership on this bill. we've worked together on many

3:19:22 to 3:19:41( Edit History Discussion )

Richard Shelby: issues throughout our years, both serving together in the house and the senate. and this bill reflects our strong relationship. i ask my colleagues -- and she will -- to support this bill and urge mr. president, i yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum. the presiding ofcer: the