Reagan Vetoes NASA’s Fourth Shuttle Budget

President Reagan today vetoed the NASA authorization bill for 1987 containing approval for a fourth space shuttle because it contains a provision that he said “would constitute unacceptable interference with my discretion” and create “additional and unnecessary bureaucracy.”

In issuing the pocket veto, Reagan said NASA’s ongoing programs will not be affected because the money for 1987 already has been appropriated.

The authorization that Reagan vetoed included congressional approval for building a shuttle to replace Challenger, which exploded after liftoff Jan. 28. The appropriations bill provides $272 million to begin the task.

Reagan objected to a provision in the authorization bill that would have established a National Space Council in the President’s office to advise him.

“Besides creating additional and unnecessary bureaucracy, the National Space Council would duplicate the functions of the interagency bodies--the Senior Interagency Group (Space), the Interagency Group (Space) and the Economic Policy Council,” the President’s memorandum said.

Reagan said he also is troubled by two other provisions.

One would set shuttle launch priorities that he said do not reflect the importance the Administration puts on developing a commercial launch industry. Another would impose a “buy-American” restriction on certain NASA procurements.