The House passed the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 by voice vote this evening, clearing the measure for the President. The bill sets policy for NASA and recommends funding for FY2017, but does not actually provide any money.

The bill, S. 442, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on February 17. It passed the House today by voice vote. House consideration of the bill was delayed a week. No explanation of the delay was offered today and no changes to the bill were made. The bill now goes to the President for signature. The White House has not publicly indicated whether he will sign it or not, but the fact that it passed Congress so easily with bipartisanship support is encouraging.

Human spaceflight is a major focus of the bill, although it also addresses NASA’s space science, space technology and aeronautics programs. It is silent on earth sciences, a topic of partisan discord. Many Republicans argue that NASA should focus on space exploration while other agencies conduct earth science research. Many Democrats insist that only NASA launches earth science research satellites that are essential for understanding the only planet in the solar system that supports human life. During the debate on the House floor today, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), the top Democrat on the House Science, Space, and Technology (SS&T) Committee, rued the fact that the bill did not address earth science, while Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the committee, pressed the argument that NASA should focus on exploration.

The 146-page bill’s overall purpose is to codify congressional intent regarding NASA’s future during a time of transition from one presidential administration to another. Stability is the watchword. SpacePolicyOnline.com’s fact sheet on NASA’s FY2017 budget request summarizes the bill. Among its key provisions are the following.