17 hours ago
Trump's bill could relocate a Smithsonian space shuttle
A provision in President Donald Trump 's tax bill, passed by House Republicans, allocates $85 million to transport the Discovery space shuttle from the Smithsonian 's Air and Space Museum to Space Center Houston.
The Smithsonian criticized the plan, estimating the true cost could exceed $300 million and warning of significant damage risk due to the complexity of the transfer.
Former astronaut Garrett Reisman also opposed the move, deeming it 'ludicrous and unnecessary' and suggesting the funds should instead be invested in NASA's science program.
The provision was backed by Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, with Cornyn's spokesperson disputing the Smithsonian 's cost estimate and suggesting a much lower figure of $5-8 million.
Cruz stated the move would honor Houston's historical significance in America's human spaceflight program.
