House bill decreases WH suggested NASA funding for projects that would put Americans on the moon

The Democrat-controlled House is proposing a measure to keep NASA funding next year at $22.629 billion, following the Trump administration's requested budget of $25.2 billion. 

The measure introduced Tuesday primarily addresses funding the White House suggested be used for NASA's Exploration Research and Development efforts. While the White House's budget allocated nearly $5 billion for  R&D, the House is suggesting just over $1.5 billion.

NASA's research and development division houses several programs including ones that would impact project Artemis, a program meant to get two astronauts to the south pole of the moon by 2024, at the direct behest of President Trump.

About $3.3 billion of the White House's suggested $4.7 billion would be allocated toward the Human Landing System (HLS), a program NASA is developing to help bring astronauts to the lunar surface. The House appropriations bill suggests just $628 million for the project.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine responded to Congress's bill with a statement thanking them for the bipartisan HLS funding, calling it "an important first step in this year's appropriations process."

Bridenstine also said that he looks "forward to working with the Senate to ensure America has the resources to land the first woman and next man on the moon in 2024."