Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced that the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill today.

Representative Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that the Committee provided a total of $17.6 billion for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA).  This amount is $290 million more than the Administration’s request as well as $1.135 billion more than the current year funding levels.

The increased NASA funding total also included $3.9 billion for the Agency’s Exploration program, which is $467 million more than FY 2007 levels.  In addition, the total amount included $5.7 billion for NASA’s science programs, $700 million for aeronautics programs, and $217.3 million for NASA’s education programs.

“This funding increase is a step in the right direction for NASA as well as the employees of the Marshall Space Flight Center,” said Cramer.  “It ensures that the Agency can continue its plans for space exploration, fulfill its International Space Station commitments, and support ongoing science research programs.”

The FY 2008 CJS Appropriations Bill now moves to the full House for consideration.