Chairman Serrano Statement at Hearing on FY 2020 NASA Budget Request

Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY), Chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the fiscal year 2020 budget request for NASA:

The subcommittee shall come to order.

I would like to welcome NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine, to the subcommittee.

NASA is a great agency that has accomplished much over the last 60 years.  A milestone in space flight occurred on July 20th, 1969, 50 years ago, when Americans, Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin, landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on the moon.  At 4:17pm Eastern Standard Time, Armstrong became the first man to step onto the lunar surface – an inspiring accomplishment!

NASA continues its missions by being responsible for civilian space activities, science, and aeronautics research.  NASA plays a key role in fostering innovation and opportunity.  As most of you know, I am a strong supporter of NASA and believe that its missions help keep the United States at the forefront of space exploration and scientific research.

The President’s budget request for fiscal year 2020 includes $21 billion for NASA, which is a nearly $500 million decrease from the 2019 enacted level.   While NASA provides funding for a number of science and exploration activities, the budget proposal reduces funding for a number of important areas.  I am particularly concerned that the President’s budget request proposes a $602 million cut to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate from the FY 2019 enacted level, and again zeroes out funding for three longstanding programs within NASA’s Office of Education that help inspire the next generation of scientists.  It is very naïve for NASA to propose once again to cut these investments after Congress spoke very clearly a little over two months ago when the omnibus was signed into law.  It is my intention as Chairman of this Subcommittee to provide robust funding for these programs that are so important for the future of our youth and our country. 

President Trump’s budget request also proposes cutting funding for Earth Science, which is reduced by $151.2 million below last year.  The research funded in this account is critical to understanding the impact of climate change on our planet.  Our future literally depends on it, which makes these proposals so troubling.

In addition, I am extremely concerned by the intent to eliminate the Wide Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST).  This project received $312 million in FY 2019 and was ranked as the highest scientific priority space astrophysics mission by the 2010 Decadal Survey. 

I also have to express my strong reservations with the proposal to procure commercial rockets for a mission prior to the planned Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) in June 2020 instead of January 2021, at an additional cost estimated to be nearly $1 billion.  These significant amounts of money can be better utilized for other programs that NASA wants to cancel and that are greatly needed.   

Lastly, as you very well know, I am also a strong supporter of the Arecibo Observatory. NASA’s FY 2020 budget request includes funding for NASA activities at the Observatory, and I would like to hear more about this work. 

Thank you once again, Administrator Bridenstine, for joining us today, and I look forward to hearing your testimony.

Now, I would like to recognize at this time my good friend, the Ranking Member, Mr. Aderholt, for any opening remarks that he may have.