What will take you out of low-Earth orbit? SLS?

The budget request maintains a resource level that underfunds SLS and inserts unnecessary budgetary and schedule risks into the future of human exploration.

Neither of these approaches, in my view, is acceptable.

But it is very important that we keep funding SLS at a confidence level, a level that they can finish their job, on time and on budget.

I really want to thank you again, you and Senator Mikulski, for the leadership you have displayed with this subcommittee.

We hope we won't get that far.

And we hope that things work out between us and Russia and the rest of the world, but if Russia were to cut ties with the U.S. or we were to cut ties with them, and they would no longer be able to provide our astronauts transportation to…

This calls into question the administration's level of commitment to a forward-thinking, inspirational space program, I believe.

I am concerned that the budget request for SLS is a sign that NASA intends to advance a funding profile that supports a Joint Confidence Level well below the 70 percent threshold.

Once SLS is operational, NASA will be able to provide critical heavy-lift capabilities to short-, medium-, and long-range missions.

A true commitment of resources, coupled with strong oversight, is required for these efforts to stay on schedule and on budget.

If American students are going to compete in a global economy, they must succeed in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.