We're here on Capitol Hill today on the day
of an important funding vote that will determine
the funding levels for NASA for at least the
next three months.
We're going to be talking to Congressman Derek
Kilmer, one of the most senior members of
the appropriations committee in the House.
So I'm Derek Kilmer.
I represent Washington State's 6th district
and serve as vice ranking member of the appropriations
committee.
Today, we're voting on what's called an omnibus
bill where a bunch of these bills are packed
together.
NASA has largely enjoyed support from Democrats
and Republicans.
Thankfully it hasn't been a partisan issue
unlike a lot of things that happen in this
building.
The problem is where there are cuts on NASA,
they're deep cuts and it's focussed largely
on two areas.
One is Earth sciences and then secondly education.
You know, if you look at the kind of spending
effort that happens from Congress, it's a
process where constituents really do have
a say.
When we hear from our constituents.
I'll give you an example.
We saw a ton if constituent correspondence
about medical research and as a consequence
you've actually seen a pretty substantial
increase in NIH funding.
We heard from someone who was involved in
the NASA explorer school in my district saying,
you know, "This is how this is going to hurt
kids in our district and their ability to
study science."
That makes me a stronger advocate for them
and for her students.
Thanks guys.
