Barbara Mikulski: “The subcommittee is deeply concerned about the timetable and process which NASA intends to follow to achieve its stated…”

“The subcommittee is deeply concerned about the timetable and process which NASA intends to follow to achieve its stated goal of reducing the NASA work force from the current level to 17,500 by the year 2000. Notwithstanding its civil service goals, the subcommittee believes that NASA should maintain the institutional capability to accomplish our national aerospace objectives. In part due to the severe budget constraints the agency faces, various NASA initiatives have called for the following: One, shifting program management from headquarters to field centers; two, transitioning to a single prime contractor for space flight operations; and three, privatization initiatives such as the science institute concept. It is unclear how each of these proposals will contribute to the future FTE goals. Many employees at Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA's Wallops island facility and headquarters are my constituents, and have expressed concerns similar to those my friend from Ohio has heard from NASA Lewis. I will stand sentry to ensure that as many jobs as possible are protected. I have asked NASA headquarters to explain why their current approach is necessary.”