House Resolution 6063 was introduced on May 15 to authorize NASA programs.  As stated in the C-SPAN Congressional Glossary, "An AUTHORIZATION BILL provides the authority for a program or agency to exist and determines its policy.  It also recommends spending levels to carry out the defined policy, but these levels are not binding.  House and Senate rules require that authorizations be in place before final funding decisions are made."  Several sections begin with a "Sense of Congress" paragraph or similar introduction, and from these we can understand how Congress believes the United State should conduct space exploration.

I'm going to touch on just a few elements of HR 6063.  You can find the full text of the resolution here.

Sec. 402. Stepping Stone Approach to Exploration
This begins well by emphasizing "... maximize the cost-effectiveness of the long-term exploration and utilization activities of the United States,..."  Unfortunately, this sentiment is completely undone just one sentence later:  "The timetable of the lunar phase of the long-term international exploration initiative shall be determined by the availability of funding and agreement on an international cooperative framework for the conduct of the international exploration initiative."  Availability of government funding in the outlying years is a tremendous uncertainty.  Indeed, you don't have to look far right now to find statements of concern that the 2008 NASA budget is insufficient to ensure the successful and timely development of the Ares and Orion hardware.  Add to this the complexities and delays that will occur while developing the international cooperative framework and you have the perfect formula to minimize the cost-effectiveness of US space exploration... let alone settlement and development.

Sec. 403. Lunar Outpost
"(a) Establishment- As NASA works toward the establishment of a lunar outpost, NASA shall make no plans that would require a lunar outpost to be occupied to maintain its viability."  Six months after President Bush announced NASA's new Vision for Space Exploration in Jan. 2004, the President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy released its report that suggested how NASA could best accomplish its new mission.  Since then I've pointed out in numerous articles and speeches that nowhere in the report will you find the word "settlement," and this resolution continues the timidity and/or lack of understanding by most of our government that the exploration of space without the goal of permanent human habitation just isn't enough.  Even if your goal is strictly science, onsite scientists with their instruments will accomplish far more than onsite instruments without their scientists.

But the "sense of Congress" isn't all bad.

Sec. 902. Commercial Crew Initiative
(a) In General- In order to stimulate commercial use of space, help maximize the utility and productivity of the International Space Station, and enable a commercial means of providing crew transfer and crew rescue services for the International Space Station, NASA shall--
(4) issue a notice of intent, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, to enter into a funded, competitively awarded Space Act Agreement with two or more commercial entities for a Phase 1 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) crewed vehicle demonstration program.
(b) COTS Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to NASA for the program described in subsection (a)(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, to remain available until expended.

The wheels of government may turn slowly, but they can be turned.  All that is required is the passion, determination, and commitment in evidence throughout the NewSpace community.