Local lawmakers promote new NASA funding bill

HOUSTON U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and local congressional leaders held a news conference Thursday at Johnson Space Center. Congress approved a three-year, $58 billion plan to fund the space agency, and President Barack Obama is expected to sign it.

The bill adds another shuttle flight before the fleet is retired, and develops a deep space capsule and rocket.

"It would be unthinkable for us not to assure we could put people up there to do the scientific and energy and technical experiments that are necessary," said Sen. Hutchison. "Now I know that we have a future for our great workforce and NASA, and that means we have a successful future."

The bill will also extend the life of the International Space Station to 2020. The bill could be signed President Obama by as soon as tomorrow.