Senate Approps Markup of CJS Bill is at 2:30 pm Thursday; Audio of Today's Subcommittee Markup Now Available

The Senate Appropriations Committee will mark up the FY2011 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) appropriations bill tomorrow (Thursday) at 2:30 pm. (Note that the committee’s website says the markup begins at 2:00, but Senator Mikulski said 2:30. They are marking up three bills. ) The CJS bill includes NASA and NOAA. The audio of the CJS subcommittee’s pro forma markup today is on the committee’s website and a press release provides a broad overview of the subcommittee’s action. The audio lasts only about 10 minutes. The one paragraph summaries from the subcommittee’s press release regarding NASA and NOAA are as follows:

“National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – The bill provides $19 billion for NASA, $278 million above the Fiscal Year 2010 level and equal to the President’s request. The total funding includes $1.6 billion for Space Shuttle operations; $2.78 billion for Space Station operations; $3 billion for development of the next generation Crew Launch Vehicle and Crew Exploration Vehicle; $5 billion for science; and $904 million for aeronautics and space technology research. The bill restructures NASA’s human spaceflight programs, providing for a new heavy lift launch vehicle and crew capsule for exploring beyond low-Earth orbit, extending the life of the International Space Station through 2020, supporting the burgeoning commercial space industry, investing in new technology development, and allowing one additional Space Shuttle flight, if determined to be safe.”

“National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – The bill provides more than $5.5 billion for NOAA, $805 million above the Fiscal Year 2010 level, not including supplemental funding and the same level as the President’s budget request. The Committee bill includes: $537 million for the National Ocean Service; $1.0 billion for the National Weather Service; $909 million for the National Marine Fisheries Service; $2.1 billion for satellite programs; and $449 million for Oceanic and Atmospheric research, including climate science.”