Bad Deeds for 12-22-2009

Lawmakers Slip in Language to Force Constellation Program to Stay As-Is – A bipartisan group of lawmakers slipped a provision into a massive government spending package last week that would force President Barack Obama to seek congressional approval for any changes to the ambitious Bush-era, back-to-the-moon program.

Democrats in the House and Senate joined forces with Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., in the end-of-year legislative avalanche to insert language into a must-sign spending package that requires the president to ask Congress for all the money that would be needed to adjust the scope or timetable of human spaceflight.

“Congress’ commitment to our nation’s human spaceflight program is unwavering with respect to the path we have already charted,” says Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, whose congressional district includes Johnson Space Center. “The debate should not be if we are moving forward, but how we are going to pay for it.”

None of the $18.7 billion given NASA to spend this year and in future years “shall be available for the termination or elimination” of any part of the Constellation program, the legislation declares, or to “create or initiate a new program” without “subsequent appropriations acts.”

“Congress’ commitment to our nation’s human spaceflight program is unwavering with respect to the path we have already charted,” says Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, whose congressional district includes Johnson Space Center. “The debate should not be if we are moving forward, but how we are going to pay for it.”

(Yea, who cares if we’re moving forward? So, these lawmakers with vested interests in the Constellation program in their districts/states have snuck in language that protects all parts of that program, regardless of the merits (or lack of) of the various parts of that program. Got a better idea for accomplishing the mission? Forget about it! In the words of Mel Brooks, “We’ve got to protect our phony-baloney jobs !” (And corporations, too!) – JLV)

John McCain’s Newest Hypocrisy – John McCain was outraged last week when Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), who was presiding over the Senate, prevented Sen. Joe Lieberman from getting extra time to finish his comments on the Senate floor.

“I’ve been around here twenty-some years, first time I’ve seen a member denied a minute or two to finish his remarks,” McCain said. “And I must say that I don’t know what’s happening here in this body, but I think it’s wrong.”

Political observers quickly pointed out that, in October 2002, McCain himself prevented Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN) from finishing a speech opposing the Iraq war and Congress’ move to authorize President Bush to launch military action against Iraq.

Regards,

Jim