The National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Overview, FY2005 Budget in Brief, and Key Issues for Congress

Publication Date: December 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Science and technology

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Abstract:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducts U.S. civilian space activities. For FY2005, NASA requested $16.244 billion, and Congress appropriated $16.200 billion, or $16.070 billion when adjusted for the 0.80% across-the board rescission. NASA's appropriation is part of the VA-HUD-IA section of the FY2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 4818, P.L. 108-447). Congress gave NASA "unrestrained transfer authority" to shift money between its two major accounts, except for specific projects listed in the conference report (H.Rept. 108-792). The agency must notify Congress of how it plans to spend the money. Until then, it is not possible to specify the level of funding for most NASA activities. Separately, NASA received $126 million for hurricane relief in a FY2005 supplemental appropriations act (P.L. 108-324). CRS Report RL32676 provides more detail on NASA's FY2005 budget and the issues it faced. This is the final edition of this report.