Grayson Strengthens NASA Reauthorization Bill
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) successfully attached three provisions to the ‘National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2015’ that passed the House today. The provisions could help bring Mars exploration launches to the Space Coast, bolster private space flight safety for launches involving astronauts, and strengthen anti-fraud contracting measures at NASA.
One provision, that originated in an amendment Rep. Grayson offered to last year’s NASA reauthorization bill, requires that the “Mars Human Exploration Roadmap” consider using existing launch facilities, such as Central Florida’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), for future missions to the Red Planet.
“Kennedy Space Center launched men to the moon. When humans go beyond that vast frontier, I want Kennedy Space Center to be that historic place once more,” said Grayson. “We established our dominance in space with these existing launch pads. And we’ve paid for these incredible facilities already. Why should taxpayers subsidize the construction of other ones in the future?”
Another Grayson provision emphasizes the need for safety standards in all human space flight, an issue that has become more urgent as commercial human space flight becomes viable.
“As private launches continue to grow, it’s important to ensure that NASA safety standards are adhered to by all human space flight providers,” Grayson said.
The final Grayson amendment protects taxpayers by prohibiting government contracts with corporations that have been convicted of fraud, embezzlement, theft, forgery, tax evasion, bribery, or violations of federal or state law in connection with obtaining public NASA contracts.
Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 8th Congressional District in the 111th Congress.
