Nation IN BRIEF / WASHINGTON, D.C. : NASA Budget Cuts Provoke Protest

A proposed $1-billion cut in NASA’s budget drew fire from members of Congress and scientists who warned in Washington that it would decimate the U.S. space agency. “Enacting these cuts is irresponsible and unacceptable,� said Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), whose state includes NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA chief Daniel Goldin has said as many as three of the agency’s regional centers would close if the budget cuts go through, with significant layoffs likely. Each center employs up to 3,000 people. Two groups of scientists also protested the proposed cuts, which would put next fiscal year’s budget for the agency at $12.65 billion, an 11% drop from this year.