00:00 Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time.
00:04 Welcome to today's hearing entitled "An Overview of the Budget Proposal for the National Aeronautics
00:09 and Space Administration for Fiscal Year 2025." I recognize myself for five minutes for an opening
00:17 statement. Today, we hear testimony from Administrator Nelson about the President's
00:22 budget proposal for NASA for fiscal year 2025. This committee plays an important role in NASA's
00:28 mission by providing policy direction and authorizing activities for the agency.
00:32 While we make progress with language included in the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act,
00:38 it's been more than seven years since the last comprehensive NASA reauthorization bill was
00:42 signed into law. I'm certain that everyone in this room, including the Administrator,
00:46 can agree that seven years is far too long. As many of our experts have highlighted in committee
00:52 hearings this year, a lot has changed for NASA since 2017. We must approach an authorization
00:58 bill with these changes in mind and address a few major topics. The first topic is Artemis.
01:04 I speak for members on both sides of the aisle when I express the strongest support for America's
01:09 return to the lunar surface. But support also means asking tough questions about the planned
01:14 architecture and execution of the program. The second topic is NASA's role in low Earth orbit
01:21 when the International Space Station is retired. We heard several perspectives on this topic in
01:27 February and I look forward to continuing this dialogue as we move forward. A third topic is
01:32 NASA's management of science missions within the agency's portfolio. We support NASA daring to do
01:39 big things, particularly in science. But how can Congress ensure these projects, particularly
01:45 flagship missions, remain on schedule and within budget? As we deliberate on these topics while we
01:51 consider this important reauthorization legislation, we must also keep in mind recent budgetary issues.
01:56 NASA doesn't lack plans for future exploration efforts, whether it's returning astronauts to
02:03 the moon, exploring our solar system, or developing new aviation technology. However, these ambitions
02:08 come at a cost. In May of 2023, President Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act capping
02:15 federal discretionary spending for FY24 and FY25. One of our challenges will be to draft an
02:22 authorization bill that complies with that law while providing sufficient support for NASA to
02:26 execute these awe-inspiring missions. Failing to do so will force NASA to take on more work than
02:35 they have the funding to accomplish, which will not only set NASA up for failure by asking them
02:40 to do too much with too little. By providing proper oversight and clear direction and authorizing
02:46 language, this committee can create the framework for adequate funding for the agency's activities.
02:52 A common theme among the hearings this committee held this Congress is the importance of ensuring
02:57 U.S. competitiveness in research and technology development globally, and today is no different.
03:03 While the U.S. remains the global leader in space exploration, we face increasing challenges
03:08 internationally. Just last week, China reiterated its commitment to landing two astronauts on the
03:15 lunar surface by 2030. Later this week, China intends to launch a mission that will retrieve
03:21 samples from the far side of the moon. If they are successful, China will be the first country to do
03:27 so. We cannot allow China to become the front-runner in space exploration. There are too many consequences
03:34 for our competitiveness, our national security, and our continued ability to explore space.
03:39 With clear direction from Congress, NASA will ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in
03:44 space and continues to inspire millions of people around the world. I want to welcome Administrator
03:49 Nelson back to the committee, where he served for many years. I look forward to working with you as
03:55 as we move forward with our NASA authorization bill.
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