10/11/2011
https://www.congress.gov...
"We are going to relinquish our status as leaders and pioneers in space exploration."
"We will be, for the first time in nearly 50 years, for a period of years unable to go into low-Earth orbit."
"We also asked the President for the safe completion of the current Space Shuttle manifest even if it has to be flown into next year."
"Our 50-year legacy of leadership in space is on the line, and we need to have a credible plan to make the next step forward."