I have said before and I will say it again that our investments in research and development, including space, are investments in innovation, jobs and future economic growth.

Like you, I am committed to ensuring that our Nation has a robust space program that will continue to lead the world for generations.

I look forward to hearing more about this mission and how NASA intends to cover the $2.6 billion that the Keck Institute for Space Studies estimated it would cost.

I remain committed to ensuring our Nation has a robust exploration program.

Our first priority must be getting American astronauts launching on American rockets from American soil as soon as safely possible.

In a time of budgetary restraints such as the one our Nation is facing, we must ensure that every agency is doing its part.

I am concerned, however, that NASA has neglected Congressional funding priorities and been distracted by new and questionable missions.

The request for the Space Technology program this year is a 62 percent increase over the appropriation it received in Fiscal Year 2012.

I am also troubled by NASA's requested reductions in the Science, Aeronautics, and Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorates.

I am skeptical about continuing to develop a market as broad and as deep as NASA suggests because I think it could delay that goal.

I continue to be concerned about the strategy NASA is employing to fund crew transportation systems.