The Nation : Senate Slashes Funds for Space Station

On an 86-11 vote, the Senate approved an appropriation bill providing only about one-fifth of the amount requested by the Administration for a manned space station, prompting a protest by NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher. The bill provides $200 million for a proposed manned space station, $767.4 million less than the Administration requested. Senior White House aides have said they would recommend that President Reagan veto the legislation. Fletcher issued a statement saying: “We are disappointed at the Senate’s action on funding for the space station. If this is the ultimate outcome it is a setback for NASA and a blow to this country’s future in space.” The Senate appropriation is $702 million lower than the House-approved amount for the space station.