Bill Nelson

That was not the intent that the President was trying to convey.

The perception of the President's position did not, in this Senator's opinion, do justice to the President in the way that the budget was rolled out.

There have been plenty of messages that have been sent to the overseers--which is this committee--that certain elements of NASA and other parts of the Administration intend to follow their own directions instead of the law.

NASA itself has two sayings that I think are relevant to the topic of today's hearing. The first is to 'show results soonest.'

What is at stake is very, very important, and that is the future of our American space program.

NASA really needs to pay attention to the report and really examine the accountability processes it has.

Thank you, Senator Cantwell.

There was a huge plus-up in the aeronautics part of this budget, some $422 million, which was a substantial percentage increase for the aeronautics.

NASA is eager to get started on that journey of exploration, both on our home planet and in the stars above.

The Administration looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to achieve our shared goals and ambitions in space.

I believe it is imperative that the persons within the agency's management responsible for causing all this discord be immediately identified and removed.

Now, more than ever, is the time for a new way of doing business--a results-oriented and cost-effective way forward.

We have every intention of flying that flight.

It is actually a difference of $276 million.

Last June, a national space policy was articulated. It is broader. It has goals and objectives.

NASA's best days are still ahead.

I believe the Commerce Committee has crafted an important law--that law must be implemented in a full and in a timely manner.

We were pressing for a focus on transparency and accountability, and that has certainly been the theme of a lot of your recommendations.

If the newspaper accounts are accurate that I have read, this could be a hit of something like $200 million in 1 year in order to make up for the deficiencies in the telescope project.

We are here this morning with a plan in hand--the NASA Authorization Act of 2010--a plan agreed to unanimously by this body, overwhelmingly in the House, and with a signature from the President.

The President's budget request, for example, utilizing the word 'cancel' the Constellation program instead of using the word 'redirect' the Constellation program.

Because broadening our capabilities in space will continue to serve our society in ways that we can scarcely imagine.

Your concerns are well founded because there were too many times in the course of building consensus to pass it in this committee.

Again, I want to say publicly my appreciation to Senator Hutchison.

This means that action trumps studies on paper.