H.R. 6063 - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

H.R. 6063 — 110^th Congress (2007–2008)

Summary

To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes. (by CRS)

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Title

To authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for other purposes.

Other Titles

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

Sponsor

Mark Udall

Co-Sponsors

• R. Miller
• Lamar Smith
• Barton Gordon
• Charles Melancon
• Ed Perlmutter
• Ralph Hall
• Nicholas Lampson
• David Wu
• Ron Klein
• Ben Chandler
• Tom Feeney
• Michael McCaul

Subjects

• Space activities
• Aerial photography
• Aeronautics
• Aerosol propellants
• Air pollution
• Air pollution control
• Air traffic
• Asteroids
• Astronautics
• Astronauts
• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Authorization
• Aviation safety
• Awards, medals, prizes
• Budgets
• Business
• Climate
• Climate change
• Commemorations
• Commercial aircraft
• Computer networks
• Computer security measures
• Congress
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Congressional tributes
• Cost accounting
• Cost control
• Earth resources satellites
• Earth sciences
• Emergency management
• Energy
• Energy conservation
• Energy efficiency
• Environmental protection
• Environmental research
• Executive departments
• Executive reorganization
• Export controls
• Federal advisory bodies
• Federal aid to education
• Federal aid to research
• Flight training
• Foreign policy
• Governmental investigations
• Greenhouse gases
• Health policy
• Health surveys
• Higher education
• Information technology
• Inspectors general
• Intellectual property
• International affairs
• International cooperation in astronautics
• Interplanetary flight
• Inventions
• Inventors
• Job training
• Laboratories
• Launch vehicles
• Medical care
• Medicine
• Meteorological research
• Meteorology
• Moon
• Names
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Natural resources
• Nitrogen oxides
• Noise
• Occupational health and safety
• Planets
• Politics and government
• Radar
• Radioisotopes
• Remote sensing
• Rescue work
• Research and development
• Research centers
• Risk
• Robots
• Science policy
• Scientific education
• Security measures
• Solar energy
• Solar system
• Sonic boom
• Space commercialization
• Space exploration
• Space flight
• Space programs
• Space propulsion
• Space sciences
• Space shuttles
• Space stations
• Spacecraft
• Standards
• Surveys
• Teacher education
• Technological innovations
• Technology
• Technology transfer
• Telecommunication
• Trade
• Weather forecasting

Related Bills

• H.Res. 1257 (110^th) : Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 6063) to Authorize the Programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and for Other Purposes.
• S.Con.Res. 105 (110^th) : A Concurrent Resolution Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to Correct the Enrollment of H.R. 6063.
• S. 3270 (110^th) : National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008

Major Actions

Introduced	5/15/2008
Referred to Committee
Amendments (13 proposed)
Passed House	6/18/2008
Passed Senate	9/25/2008
Signed by President	10/15/2008

Bill History

• All Votes
• All Actions
• Amendments

	Chamber/Committee	Motion	Date	Result
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Gordon amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Feeney amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Wu amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Wu amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Arcuri amendment (A006) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Wu amendment (A007) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Harman amendment Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Gordon amendment (A009) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Yarmuth amendment (A011) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	On agreeing to the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (A012) Agreed to by voice vote.	6/12/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	House	Amendment 5 to H.R. 6063	6/18/2008	This amendment PASSED the House 429 voted YES 1 voted NO 8 voted present/not voting
select this vote	House	Amendment 10 to H.R. 6063	6/18/2008	This amendment PASSED the House 423 voted YES 3 voted NO 12 voted present/not voting
select this vote	House	On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 6063 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008	6/18/2008	This motion DID NOT PASS the House 196 voted YES 225 voted NO 12 voted present/not voting
currently selected	House	On Passage - House - H.R. 6063 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008	6/18/2008	This bill PASSED the House 409 voted YES 15 voted NO 9 voted present/not voting
select this vote	Senate	Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.	9/25/2008	PASSED by voice vote
select this vote	Senate	Amendment SA 5648 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.	9/25/2008	PASSED by voice vote

	Action	Date	Description
	Introduced	5/15/2008
		5/15/2008	Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E942-943)
		5/15/2008	Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
		5/15/2008	Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
		5/20/2008	Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
		5/20/2008	Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
	Put on a legislative calendar	6/04/2008	Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
		6/09/2008	Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 110-702.
	Put on a legislative calendar	6/09/2008	Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 446.
		6/10/2008	Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1257 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6063 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment.
		6/12/2008	Rule H. Res. 1257 passed House.
		6/12/2008	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1257.
		6/12/2008	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6063 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and Technology now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment.
		6/12/2008	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1257 and Rule XVIII.
		6/12/2008	The Speaker designated the Honorable Madeleine Z. Bordallo to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
		6/12/2008	GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 6063.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Gordon.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gordon amendment.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Feeney amendment.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Gordon amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A002) offered by Mr. Feeney.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Feeney amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A003) offered by Mr. Wu.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Wu amendment.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Wu amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A004) offered by Mr. Wu.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Wu amendment.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Wu amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lampson amendment.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A005) offered by Mr. Lampson.
		6/12/2008	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lampson amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Lampson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Arcuri amendment.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A006) offered by Mr. Arcuri.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Arcuri amendment (A006) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A007) offered by Mr. Wu.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Wu amendment.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Wu amendment (A007) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Harman amendment.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A008) offered by Ms. Harman.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Harman amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gordon amendment.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A009) offered by Mr. Gordon.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Gordon amendment (A009) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	The Committee of the Whole rose informally.
		6/12/2008	The Committee of the Whole resumed its sitting.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hodes amendment.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A010) offered by Mr. Hodes.
		6/12/2008	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Hodes amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hodes demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Yarmuth amendment.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A011) offered by Mr. Yarmuth.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Yarmuth amendment (A011) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1257, the Committe of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment.
		6/12/2008	Amendment (A012) offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee (TX).
		6/12/2008	Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee rise.
		6/12/2008	On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
select this vote	Vote	6/12/2008	On agreeing to the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (A012) Agreed to by voice vote.
		6/12/2008	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 6063 as unfinished business.
		6/18/2008	Considered as unfinished business.
		6/18/2008	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
		6/18/2008	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 6063.
		6/18/2008	The previous question was ordered without objection.
		6/18/2008	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
		6/18/2008	Mr. Gingrey moved to recommit with instructions to Science and Technology.
		6/18/2008	DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Gingry motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment adding language to create competition for energy efficiency.
		6/18/2008	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
select this vote	Vote	6/18/2008	Amendment 5 to H.R. 6063
select this vote	Vote	6/18/2008	Amendment 10 to H.R. 6063
select this vote	Vote	6/18/2008	On Motion to Recommit with Instructions: H.R. 6063 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
currently selected	House Vote on Passage	6/18/2008	On Passage - House - H.R. 6063 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
		6/20/2008	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
		9/17/2008	Hearings Held by Committee on Science and Technology Prior to Introduction and Referral (February 13, 2008)..
		9/25/2008	Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
		9/25/2008	Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
select this vote	Senate Vote on Passage	9/25/2008	Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
		9/25/2008	Amendment SA 5648 proposed by Senator Nelson FL.
select this vote	Vote	9/25/2008	Amendment SA 5648 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
		9/26/2008	Message on Senate action sent to the House.
		9/27/2008	Heairngs Held by Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Prior to Indroduction and Referral (04/24/2008)..
		9/27/2008	Hearind Held by Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Prior to Introductionand Referral (05/01/2008)..
	Presented to President	9/27/2008	Cleared for White House.
		9/27/2008	Mr. Gordon moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
		9/27/2008	DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6063.
		9/27/2008	On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
	Presented to President	10/06/2008	Presented to President.
	Signed	10/15/2008	Signed by President.
	Enacted	10/15/2008	Became Public Law No: 110-422.

	Number	Sponsor	Date Offered	Status
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1085	Gordon, Barton [D-TN6]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment inserts a provision related to coordination with the FAA on sonic boom research; replaces Secs. 305 and 306 with equivalent language from Secs. 903 and 905 respectively of the House-passed FAA Reauthorization, H.R. 2881 and adds suborbital reusable launch vehicles to the list of suborbital science research platforms. The amendment includes a sense of Congress on the value of NASA's EarthKam and robotics competitions for inspiring students and a sense of Congress urging NASA to use entrepreneurial companies to conduct appropriate R&D and seek ways to ensure that firms that rely on fixed price proposals aren't disadvantaged. The amendment also includes NASA workforce-related provisions, including an extension of the RIF moratorium, a limit on the use of term positions in FY 2009, and a temporary continuation of coverage of health benefits. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1086	Feeney, Tom [R-FL24]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should seek to obtain cooperation from other nations in discovering and monitoring near-Earth asteroids. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1087	Wu, David [D-OR1]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment to encourage the United States to lead confidence building measures that advance the long-term initiative for international cooperation. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1088	Wu, David [D-OR1]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment expresses the sense of Congress that NASA should not dilute, distort, suppress, or impede scientific research or the dissemination thereof. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1089	Lampson, Nicholas [D-TX22]	June 12, 2008	Passed by roll call vote on June 18, 2008.
	Amendment exempts NASA from Section 526(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 if the contract does not specifically require the contractor to provide an alternative or synthetic fuel or fuel from a nonconventional source; if the purpose of the contract is not to obtain an alternative or synthetic fuel or fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source; and the contract does not provide incentives for a refinery upgrade or expansion to allow a refinery to use or increase its use of fuel from a nonconventional petroleum source. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1090	Arcuri, Michael [D-NY24]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment requires the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to examine the feasibility of contracting with non-federal actors to disseminate images and multi-media records delivered from space to the public as part of NASA's participatory exploration technology plan. Additionally, the amendment requires NASA to employ a transparent bidding process to award any such contracts, pursuant to U.S. law. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1091	Wu, David [D-OR1]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment requires CBO to update its report from 2004 on the budgetary analysis of the NASA's Vision for the Nation's Space Exploration Program. This report is to be completed in 6 months. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1092	Harman, Jane [D-CA36]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment expresses the sense of Congress that NASA should work with other government agencies and the aerospace industry to develop and implement policies to sustain and expand the aerospace industry workforce. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1093	Gordon, Barton [D-TN6]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment directs NASA to prioritize any existing cooperatives with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that are related to the study of tornadoes and tornado force winds with the goal of determining the nation's ability to predict tornado events. The amendment also requires NASA to determine if there are other areas where NASA can work with NOAA in the area of tornado research. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1094	Hodes, Paul [D-NH2]	June 12, 2008	Passed by roll call vote on June 18, 2008.
	Amendment establishes a scholarship program in honor of Christa McAulliffe, a teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who died in the 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. The scholarship would go to women pursuing degrees in mathematics, science, and engineering. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1095	Yarmuth, John [D-KY3]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment requires NASA to respond to recommendations in recent reports of the GAO and the National Academy of Sciences to ensure the public has access to correct and timely research and data on global warming. Show amendment details
select this vote	H. Amdt. 1096	Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX18]	June 12, 2008	Passed by voice vote on June 12, 2008.
	Amendment to clarify that the NASA Outreach and Technology Assistance Program will include small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. It would also give preference, in selection for the program, to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone small business concerns. Show amendment details
select this vote	S. Amdt. 5648	Nelson, Bill [D-FL]	September 25, 2008	Passed by voice vote on September 24, 2008.
	In the nature of a substitute. Show amendment details