A bipartisan group of 30 Representatives has called on senior lawmakers to include $2 billion in funding for NASA as part of an economic stimulus package or supplemental appropriations bill.
The letter says the funds are needed to reimburse the agency for expenditures on return-to-flight expenses following the Columbia disaster and for repairs needed following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
A union representing some NASA employees, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, echoed support for the increase. It said Bush administration has "chosen to raid NASA’s science, aeronautical, technology development, and education programs to cover return-to-flight costs," rather than propose a realistic budget.