Texas lawmakers introduce bill to bring shuttle to Houston

HOUSTON

Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green introduced a bill to bring space shuttle Endeavour to Houston for 15 years. Congressman Jason Chaffetz of Utah introduced a bill that would take space shuttle Enterprise from New York. That drew this response from New York Congressman Charles Schumer, "When people from Paris, Beijing, Tokyo and Amsterdam start saying they want to go to Houston, maybe then they'll get a shuttle. I'd say to Texas, don't mess with New York."

Texas Congressman Ted Poe then fired back, "whether Senator Schumer likes it or not, the Big Apple had nothing to do with NASA or the space shuttle program until Tuesday."

Just yesterday, we told you about a group of lawmakers demanding an explanation from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden for the Houston snub. Seventeen congressmen and congresswomen wrote and signed the letter which reads in part, "We can find no logical explanation for this decision."

The lawmakers also threaten to do everything in their power to prevent any taxpayer funding of the transfer of Enterprise to New York City, calling it "a wasteful decision." Legislators are still waiting a response from Bolden or NASA.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for continuing coverage.

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Email: public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov