07/12/2016
https://www.congress.gov...
"Human space exploration, we want to get back in that business. It is vital to our space program."
"Well, you have just made the case, if we are going to Mars in 2030s, of why the Space Station ought to have the life beyond 2020, its legal life now in law."
"Thank you, Senator."
"And describe how the Station will serve as a platform to develop the propulsion technologies to go to Mars."