Trump signs NASA bill aimed at Mars mission

$19.5 billion measure will boost Houston, end reliance on Russia

President Donald Trump signs a sweeping NASA policy bill, reinforcing the space agency’s commitment to human space exploration and a long-term trajectory to Mars.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a sweeping NASA policy bill on Tuesday, reinforcing the space agency’s commitment to human space exploration and a long-term trajectory to Mars.

“For almost six decades, NASA’s work has inspired millions and millions of Americans to imagine distant worlds and a better future right here on Earth,” said Trump, flanked by an array of NASA officials, astronauts, and Texas lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Reps. Brian Babin, Lamar Smith and John Culberson.

“With this legislation, we support NASA’s scientists, engineers, astronauts and their pursuit of discovery,” Trump continued. “It’s been a long time since a bill like this has been signed, reaffirming our national commitment to the core mission of NASA: human space exploration, space science and technology.” The $19.5 billion measure, the first major NASA policy bill in seven years, is also an important jobs initiative for Texas, Florida and California, extending a number of critical space programs such as the Hubble Telescope and the International Space Station. It also continues to transition a number of critical space agency activities to the commercial space sector, including ferrying U.S. astronauts to the space station and ending NASA’s reliance on Russia.

The heavy Texas contingent was a sign of the space agency’s importance to the Lone Star State, particularly Houston’s Johnson Space Center. Babin, whose district includes the space center, called it “the next chapter of human space exploration.”

Trump handed out some of the pens he used to sign the bill, then was presented with a NASA astronaut flight jacket

“Does anybody have anything to say? Ted, you want to say something?” Trump asked. Cruz called the bill “terrific” and thanked the president.

“Marco?” Trump then asked, turning to Sen. Rubio.

“I’m happy to see that Florida is going to continue to do more than Texas is,” Rubio quipped.

Nicholas Kamm / AFP / Getty Images President Donald Trump is cheered Tuesday after signing a policy bill that reaffirms the nation’s commitment to NASA. Many Texas lawmakers who pushed for the bill were at the Oval Office event.