Houston Chronicle by Alex Stuckey Feb. 27, 2019
President Donald Trump is expected to propose a 5 percent cut to NASA’s budget next year, a decision that stands in stark contrast to the president’s pushed to return humans to the moon for the first time since 1972.
The proposed cuts — part of sweeping cuts to non-defense discretionary spending in every agency — was disclosed in an article published online Monday by Russ Vought, acting head of the Office of Management and Budget.
“It’s unfortunate that once again when everyone is getting excited about going back to the moon ... that the announcement is on the heels of cuts for NASA,†said Keith Cowing, editor of NASA Watch, a website devoted to space news. “This is not the signal you would hope to see at an agency that is about to embark on a multi-decade program of returning to and exploring the moon.â€
It would be one of the largest spending reductions in U.S. history, impacting virtually every federal agency, Vought wrote.
“Recognizing the importance of controlling excessive spending, President Trump directed federal agencies to identify how they can cut a nickel out of every dollar they spend,†Vought wrote. “Hard-working American families make these sorts of tough decisions every day. The president believes Washington should be no different.â€
It’s not clear what programs would get the ax at NASA. In a statement, agency spokeswoman Bettina Inclán said NASA has bipartisan support both in Congress and from the President.
"It would be inappropriate to comment [on] what may or may not be in the budget before it is released," she said.
Earlier this month, Trump signed a $21.5 billion fiscal year 2019 budget for NASA -- $1.6 billion more than Trump's original proposal. A 5 percent cut would drop NASA’s budget to $20.4 billion.
More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/nation-world/space/article/NASA-could-see-a-5-percent-budget-cut-next-year-13649007.php
