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WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn (OK-5) is leading markup of the NASA Authorization Act of 2020, legislation which establishes a long-term, sustainable framework for NASA. The bill takes a comprehensive approach to supporting NASA’s work as a multi-mission agency, emphasizing the importance of balanced exploration, science, aeronautics, technology, and education portfolios. The NASA Authorization Act of 2020 establishes goals for a moon landing by 2028 followed by a crewed mission to orbit Mars by 2033, prioritizing planning, oversight, transparency, and responsible fiscal and program management. Cosponsors of the legislation include Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas (OK-3), and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Brian Babin (TX-36).

Watch video of the subcommittee markup of the NASA Authorization Act of 2020 led by Congresswoman Horn, beginning at 2:00PM ET.

“We can no longer afford to play politics with space exploration,” said Congresswoman Horn. “Today’s bipartisan legislation is the product of a year of hearings, expert testimony, and across-the-aisle conversation about the direction of our nation’s civil space program. For too long, NASA’s work has suffered from fits and starts as short-term political priorities change. If we are to remain the world’s leader in space exploration, NASA needs a long-term sustainable plan that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and effective programmatic management. The NASA Authorization Act of 2020 takes a thoughtful approach to sending Americans to the moon, Mars, and beyond, an approach that decreases risk, and values the stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Our goal is to strengthen America’s space program, to create measures of accountability and transparency that protect taxpayers, and to provide NASA with the resources it needs to develop a sound, evidence-based plan for space exploration.”

Text of the NASA Authorization Act of 2020 is available here.

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