Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Panel OKs Funding for Space Station

The Senate appropriations subcommittee voted to spend the full $2 billion requested by the Bush Administration for the controversial Space Station Freedom. Despite strong opposition from some scientists, who contend that the proposed orbiting platform in space has been so pared down that it no longer can fulfill its scientific mission, members of the Senate panel that oversees NASA’s budget said it is time to move forward with the project. The full Appropriations Committee is expected to ratify the decision later this week.