This week’s issue of Space News has the most thorough analysis of the effect the Democratic takeover of Congress will have on NASA. In general, NASA won’t face significant changes, but the article does go through some interesting details. For example, Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV), expected to become chair of the appropriations subcommittee with oversight of NASA, is known for his “liberal use of budget earmarks” to support companies and groups in his home district (something that put him under scrutiny earlier this year), while outgoing chairman Frank Wolf (R-VA) kept the budget earmark-free this year. Also, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) could become an influential supporter of NASA should be become House Majority Leader; he “is closely allied with [Sen. Barbara] Mikulski and has paid heed to space interests in his state.”
A Christian Science Monitor article on the changes in overall science and technology policy caused by the Congressional shift suggests that NASA could be an area “ripe for tighter oversight” because members of Congress from both parties are concerned that NASA isn’t getting enough money to carry out the Vision for Space Exploration without damaging other programs.
