Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle expects President Bush to find some ways to save money in the federal budget in order to afford the “luxury” of expanded space exploration. Nussle, who’s a republican, is chairman of the Budget Committee in the United States House. Nussle says he doesn’t consider placing a base on the moon and sending man to Mars “a top priority” within the federal budget. He says it’s a “luxury” and there should be sacrifice in order to pay for it.Nussle says it should be done by cutting out waste in the budget. Nussle does describe himself as a “child of the Apollo program.” Nussle says he remembers — as a nine year old — watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. Nussle says lots of technological advancements can be traced back to the space program, things like cell phones and M-R-Is. Nussle says that was all good for the economy, and created jobs.He says a “pitch” can be made that expanding the space program is good for economic development. Still, Nussle says it’s important to find budget cuts to offset the new space spending so the federal budget deficit doesn’t grow larger.
