Newsletter
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (S. 422) – Sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), this bill was signed into law by President Trump on March 21. As the first NASA funding authorization bill passed in seven years, this Act allocates money to send humans to Mars by 2033, reaffirms the United States’ commitment to continue involvement with the International Space Station through 2024, resurrects the National Space Council (a governmental body that hasn’t existed since 1993), and guarantees free lifetime healthcare for astronauts.
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (H.R. 353) – This Act authorizes funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to prioritize research to improve weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting and warnings to better protect lives and property. It also requires the National Weather Service (NWS) to collect and utilize information for forecasts of sub seasonal and seasonal temperature and precipitation, and allows the NWS to work with the private sector for new technologies and weather solutions. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and signed into law by the President on April 18.
An Act to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, American Samoa, the Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic. (H.R. 1362) – Sponsored by Aumua Amata, Delegate for American Samoa Republican, the bill was signed into law by the President on March 31.
Stopping EPA Overreach Act (H.R. 637) – Sponsored by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), this bill would prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases by overturning existing legislation including the Clean Power Plan for power plants; car and vehicle environmental requirements; and climate change provisions related to electric utility generating units and natural gas sources. This bill was introduced on January 23 and assigned to a congressional committee for consideration before possibly forwarding it on to the House or Senate.
Recent Presidential Executive Orders and Memorandums (totaling 37 as of April 20):