Congress at work: 'A' is for aeronautics
Washington (CNN) - While the Senate didn't do much today, it did vote to keep aeronautics in the domain of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
A bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration would have set up a committee to study whether civil aeronautics research and development should be done by other federal agencies.
Democratic Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, whose state is home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, pointed out the obvious on the Senate Floor: "Of the letters in NASA, the first 'A' is aeronautics." Nelson also pointed out aeronautics research is a "big part" of NASA, adding "we have plussed-up a lot of money" for it. Nelson argued the language setting up another study was "superfluous."
The Senate agreed, voting 96-1 to not do the study and to keep aeronautics in NASA. The no vote was Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma.
Sen. Coburn must be the only boat paddling against the tide. What else is new?
Interesting the media chose "Congress at work" for the title, considering the House has a so-called schedule full of constant Days/Weeks off.
And the little work being done has been politicians wasting our tax dollars on symbolic gimmicks with no chance of passing, instead of actually 'working' together on realistic solutions. Where is the governing, focus on JOBS, and oddly, where is the tea partier outrage? Coincidence... ?
When I think of our government there's another word that begins with "A" that comes to mind instantly.........Can you guess which one? I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with "smash moles"!
Coburn is clueless. The FAA is hamstrung by the fact it has 2 missions, promote civil aviation (i.e. make sure the airlines fly and are viable), and regulate flying and safety. So what happens when American Airlines has its maintenance and repairs done overseas because its cheaper? Yeah, you got it. Not to mention getting the FAA to do anything is like pushing a rock uphill unless and airplane plows in and kills a lot of people.