In the first of what will be a series of endorsements in congressional races, the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration has endorsed Congressman Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) for releection. Lampson represents the Texas 22nd District and Giffords represents the Arizona 8th District.
In his years as a member of Congress, Nick Lampson has emerged as one of the strongest supporters of space exploration in Washington. In particular, he has been a leader of the bi-partisan coalition that is seeking to obtain an additional $1 billion to $2 billion for NASA's budget in order to accelerate the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Ares rocket, so as to shorten the gap between the last flight of the Shuttle and the first flight of Orion from five years to three. He has close ties to the space advocacy movement, regularly appearing at conferences and other events. It is very likely that he will be named as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics during the next session of Congress.
Lampson's opponent, Pete Olson, is also a strong supporter of space exploration. But he lacks Lampson's long experience and track record on the issue. Furthermore, because he will likely be named Chair of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Lampson will be in a much stronger position to positively influence space policy than Olson would be.
Although still a freshman, Gabrielle Giffords has already made a name for herself as a champion of the space program. She has a strong personal connection to space exploration in the person of her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, who recently commanded the Space Shuttle Discovery on its mission to the International Space Station. Like Lampson, she has worked hard to secure additional funding for NASA in order to accelerate the development of Orion and Ares. As a member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, she is positioned to play an increasingly important role in determining space policy.
Giffords's opponent, Tim Bee, has not demonstrated any particular interest in space exploration as an issue. His campaign did not respond to the Committee's requests for information.
The coming years will see increasingly severe pressures on the federal budget and Congress will doubtless be tempted to reduce funding for space exploration a a result. It is therefore critical that those members of Congress who are champions of the space program, such as Congressman Lampson and Congresswoman Giffords, are returned to Congress in order to fight for a fully-funded space agency.
These two members of Congress are great champions of space exploration and the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration wholeheartedly endorses them.
Stay tuned for more announcements of endorsements in congressional races over the coming months. In order to maximize support for candidates who will support a strong American space program, contribute to the Committee for the Advocacy of Space Exploration at our website: http://www.committee4spaceadvocacy.org/. Every dollar you give helps increase support for a robust and comprehensive American space program.
