Press Releases
Administration Plan to Terminate Constellation Contract Without Congressional Approval in Violation of Law
Washington,
February 13, 2010
Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) released the following statement in response to the Obama Administration’s notice today that it is cancelling Kennedy Space Center’s Exploration Ground Launch Services (EGLS) contract:
“Administration’s unilateral decision to cancel contracts associated with the Constellation program, absent Congressional consent is a direct violation of the law and of Congressional intent,” said Congressman Posey. “The President’s budget request represents a significant retreat from human space flight and a departure from his promise to close the gap and keep the United States first in space. The President’s budget has not been approved by the Congress. Congress has not directed the Administration to cancel the Constellation program in fact it has done just the opposite in recent legislation. “Now we learn that the Administration is moving ahead with terminating Constellation without Congressional approval. I am informed that NASA has formed teams to wind down Constellation projects and that NASA is cancelling the EGLS procurement process for Constellation at Kennedy Space Center. This could be as many as 1,500 additional jobs that will be lost at KSC. “The Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 expressly prohibits the ‘termination or elimination of any program, project or activity of the architecture for the Constellation program.’ Moreover, indications that NASA is not properly allocating funds intended for Constellation is worrisome and in direct violation of the legislation that Congress passed and that has been signed into law. The unilateral decisions by the Administration are likely in direct violation of the Impoundment Control Act. “Today I joined 26 of my colleagues from both parties in sending a strong message to NASA to halt any actions damaging to Constellation and reiterating the central role of elected legislators in authorizing and funding the future of human space flight. “It is truly disappointing that our space program lacks leadership and vision. If current trends are allowed to continue, we risk reverting to pre-1961 status, having no human space flight program.” CLICK HERE to read the letter Members of Congress sent Administrator Bolden. |
