Jerry Lewis: “Mr. Chairman, I would urge Members as well as those in Members' offices who might be watching this discussion to focus…”

“Mr. Chairman, I would urge Members as well as those in Members' offices who might be watching this discussion to focus on this amendment with great care. The gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Sensenbrenner] and I share in common a great interest in our work in space. We also have had many a discussion and share both interest and concern about international space station and that international partnership that has been formed with the United States and a number of our allies regarding our work in space. It is my concern that there are economic difficulties relative to some in that partnership and especially the Russian part of that partnership. Having expressed that concern in many a forum, I nonetheless suggest that this amendment which would affect $100 million relative to the Russian program for assurance could very well have a serious impact upon that partnership. Indeed, we are attempting to make sure that we continue with a foundation of international partnership in a solid way that allows space station to progress on a schedule and calendar that will assure, indeed, its success. I am most concerned that this action could itself impact dramatically the partnership and, in turn, could affect the schedule for the station.”