Hard Worker

NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and it’s a U.S. government agency that is responsible for science and technology related to space. NASA conducts research in four organizations, also called mission directorates, including aeronautics, human exploration and operations, science, and space technology. The Aeronautics Research Institute manages research focused on air mobility that can meet demands for a more environmentally friendly and sustainable world. The Human Exploration and Operations Research Institute focuses on International Space Station operations, development of commercial spaceflight capabilities, and human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. The Science Research Institute studies the Earth, solar system, and the rest of the universe. The Space Technology Research Institute creates technology that makes NASA missions possible. As an independent agency, NASA also has a lot of influence in the lawmaking process. According to President Obama’s 2014 fiscal year budget request, NASA spent approximately 17.7 billion dollars in 2012, estimated to have spent 17.8 billion in 2013, and projected to spend 17.7 billion in 2014. According to polls, only half of the American public believes that NASA is worth the federal spending. However, NASA is very involved in common things that have a huge impact on everyday life so it is working very effectively and promotes government efficiency. With the amount of funding that NASA receives each year, it is easy to say that the bureaucracy is working effectively. However, the American public is very ambivalent on the topic. “Among the findings of the IBD/TIPP poll on space and NASA: 52 percent believe that the space program is worth its cost.” (Whittington) Even though almost half of the American public doesn’t think that NASA is worth it, it has done a lot while only receiving less than 1% of the federal budget in the last 18 years. The agency is working very effectively and doesn’t need to improve. It provides thousands of new jobs every year. NASA’s research has been involved in the creation of many life-changing innovations. “We really do inspire people and change lives, and create new technology that goes far beyond the boundaries of just pure science.” (Daines) NASA’s research has helped lead to the advent of the computer mouse, the cochlear implant (a device that has restored hearing for thousands and allowed others born deaf to hear for the first time), satellites, etc. Since NASA is able to do so much, space-related and not space-related, with its limited funding, it is in fact working effectively and promoting government efficiency. During the summer of 2013, NASA budget cuts and NASA’s asteroid mission have sparked debate in Congress. The Senate and House have had differences between how much funding NASA should receive in 2014. Democrats argue that the research for this mission is also tied in with other important issues like climate change. Unlike the Democratically-controlled Senate, the House wants to cut NASA’s spending since it’s unsure about whether this asteroid mission will truly serve NASA’s long-term goals. “NASA has yet to identify an asteroid that is sure to meet the requirements of the mission, such as size, spin, composition and speed relative to the Earth. It’s unclear how much this would cost.” (Achenbach) Even though the bureaucracy has offered many justifications for its mission, there are still too many uncertainties.
NASA is also an independent agency. “Independent agencies usually have broad powers to provide public services that are either too expensive or too important to be left to private initiatives.” (Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle 296) It’s an independent agency, because it’s free from presidential control and was created for more practical and symbolic purposes unlike a cabinet department. Independent agencies are part of the executive branch and have the power of rulemaking, which is a part of the legislation process. Rulemaking can be very influential, because when the agency’s rules are in effect, they have the power of federal law. However, since NASA receives less than 1% of the federal budget, its power might be an overstatement compared to that of bureaucracies that receive more federal funding. The bureaucracy is often referred to as the “fourth branch of government,” because of its major involvement with the other three branches. The term can be used pejoratively because some believe that bureaucracy promotes inefficient government. Also, these executive agencies exercise powers from all three branches. They legislate through rulemaking, enforce the rules they make, interpret laws, settle disputes by applying rules and precedents, and conduct oversight. Most importantly, bureaucracy is necessary to implement public policy, achieve collective goals, and keep the government running.
Though many Americans don’t believe that NASA is worth 17.7 billion dollars, NASA is very effective and promotes government efficiency. NASA’s research has had such an impact on everyday life while only receiving less than 1% of the federal budget. There are still disputes over NASA’s funding between both major parties. NASA not only has been effective through its technology but also has very influential powers in the government. This is why bureaucracy is also known as the “fourth branch of government” due to the similar powers between the three branches of government and bureaucracy. A lot of people are definitely unaware of NASA’s impact on their lives, because it is working effectively and promoting government efficiency.

Works Cited
Daines, Gary. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Web. 1 Jan. 2013

Whittington, Mark. “New Poll Has Contradictory Findings for Public Support of NASA Space Exploration.” Yahoo. 26 July 2011. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. < http://news.yahoo.com/poll-contradictory-findings-public-support-nasa-space-exploration-164100958.html>

Achenbach, Joel. “NASA asteroid mission is new focus of budget debate in Congress.” The Washington Post. 20 July 2013. Web. 1 Jan. 2013.

Lowi, Theodore J., Ginsberg, Benjamin, Shepsle, Kenneth A. American Government. W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2008. Print.

Cited: Daines, Gary. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Web. 1 Jan. 2013 Whittington, Mark. “New Poll Has Contradictory Findings for Public Support of NASA Space Exploration.” Yahoo. 26 July 2011. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. < http://news.yahoo.com/poll-contradictory-findings-public-support-nasa-space-exploration-164100958.html> Achenbach, Joel. “NASA asteroid mission is new focus of budget debate in Congress.” The Washington Post. 20 July 2013. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. Lowi, Theodore J., Ginsberg, Benjamin, Shepsle, Kenneth A. American Government. W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2008. Print.