Senate to take up NASA amendment Tuesday morning

The Senate will vote on legislation Tuesday morning that would strike language from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization bill that could lead to budget cuts for NASA.

The amendment from Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) would kill language that creates an advisory committee to examine whether or not NASA should continue research and development on civilian aircraft.

Nelson's amendment is aimed at protecting NASA from further budget cuts. The measure enjoys bipartisan support, including from Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) indicated that the vote will begin at 10:30 a.m. and terminate by 11 a.m. It will be the only vote of the day.

 The Senate will likely adjourn early on Tuesday to accommodate a Democratic caucus retreat. 

The House, meanwhile,  will meet at 2 p.m. to consider reauthorization of funding for the USA Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and for the Intelligence Reform of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The House will also take up a bill to extend trade adjustment assistance to workers negatively affected by trade, and to renew the Andean Trade Preference Act.

Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. and will be considered under suspension of House rules.

The Senate adjourned at 7:03 p.m.