By Carl Weiser
Enquirer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine, a member of the Senate committee that controls spending, said flatly Wednesday that it was not possible to pay for President Bush's $1 billion plan to build a base on the moon and send a man to Mars.

"It's highly unlikely Congress is going to appropriate this kind of money, considering the budget situation today," DeWine said during a brief interview.

FEEDBACK

The Tristate's predominantly Republican congressional delegation overall was skeptical to dismissive of the plan. While it's a bold and interesting idea, they said the government just doesn't have the money.

"We are also facing serious long-term budget problems," said Rep. Steve Chabot, a Westwood Republican. "Congress must not continue to irresponsibly pile debt on the backs of our children. Before fully committing the country to this program, we must work to get our fiscal house in order and consider corresponding spending reductions."

Rep. Rob Portman, a Terrace Park Republican with close ties with the White House, said it was a good idea for a nation to have lofty goals.

"The question is whether we have the resources in the short term to move to manned space flight," he said. "It's a good idea. I would just say in the short term we have to focus on getting the deficit down, so I don't know how much we'll be able to do in the next year."

The federal government's deficit for the last fiscal year was a record $374 billion, and it's expected to break $500 billion this year.

Pumping money into moon bases and Mars exploration during a time of record deficits is irresponsible, Rep. Baron Hill said through his spokesman, Stefan Bailey.

Hill, a Democrat who represents southern Dearborn County, considers the plan misguided at a time when constituents are more worried about jobs, health care, and paying for college, Bailey said.

"We shouldn't spend funds we don't have, and we shouldn't neglect important goals here on Earth," said Rep. Ken Lucas, the Democrat who represents Northern Kentucky.

Rep. John Boehner, a West Chester Republican, said he was intrigued by the idea but urged caution "given the current fiscal realities."

Sen. George Voinovich, a former Cleveland mayor, was enthusiastic about what the plan might mean for the NASA Glenn Research Center in his hometown. But as someone who so worried about budget deficits that he forced President Bush to cut back on his tax cuts last year, Voinovich said he too worries where the government would get this money.

"I'm especially interested in learning more details about the plan's cost relative to the overall federal budget and our other federal priorities in light of our current and projected budget deficits," the Republican said.

No one from the Tristate delegation sits on the House or Senate committees that oversee NASA. But DeWine, a Cedarville Republican, sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee that will control any spending on the effort.

Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the federal deficit, education and health care programs and other domestic priorities are competing for scarce dollars, he said.

"This kind of money (for a lunar program) is not possible under the current budget constraints," DeWine said. "Maybe sometime in the future but certainly not now."

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said Bush's proposal breathed new life into the space program. But, he said, "Congress must find an appropriate balance to our nation's scientific stake in space exploration and the pressing fiscal obligations we have here on Earth."

Rep. Mike Turner, a Dayton Republican who represents northern Warren County, was one of the few not to raise questions about the cost.

"I'm supportive as the president charts the course for a great national adventure," he said. "I believe these missions will unite us and give all Americans a spectacular mutual goal to reach for."

Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., did not return calls.