The bill includes $600 million for lunar landers, which is significantly lower than the $1 billion application of NASA

[space news, Dec. 16] a final fiscal year 2020 spending bill released by the U.S. congressional appropriations Department on Dec. 16 will provide more than $22.6 billion to NASA, but less than NASA's application for the development of lunar landers. On the same day, the house and Senate Appropriations departments announced two comprehensive spending bills for the operation of federal government departments for the rest of fiscal year 2020, including the commercial, judicial and scientific comprehensive spending bill involving NASA's appropriations.

A total of $22.629 billion is proposed for NASA under the comprehensive act. Add in the $1.6 billion amendment submitted in May, which is close to the agency's initial application. A bill passed by the house of representatives in June proposed $22.315 billion for NASA, while the Senate version passed in October proposed $22.75 billion for NASA.

As early as December 17, the house of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the spending bill, which will be sent to the Senate for voting. NASA and the rest of the federal government are now operating at fy19f funding levels under a temporary funding bill. The continuation resolution is due to expire on December 20.