On the recordJuly 25, 2007
I want to commend him and Chairman Mollohan for fully funding the exploration initiative. These are the funds that will allow us to continue to operate the shuttle and as well to continue to develop a replacement for the shuttle. And, importantly, that replacement, the Orion capsule, will be a safer and less expensive space vehicle, and so it is very important that we keep funding on track. I want to commend Chairman Mollohan for bringing up the important issue of the gap in human space flight. I would simply point out that when the President originally put forward this proposal, I shared Chairman Mollohan's criticism that this gap in human space flight is not good for America, and I am certainly anxious to work with the administration and with the committee to see if it will be possible for us in the years ahead to reduce that time where Americans will be relying on the Russians, essentially, to put our astronauts into space.
Source
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