NASA initiated the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) in the wake of the Space Shuttle Challenger's explosion, in an effort to improve shuttle safety. However this next-generation shuttle booster proved to be unnecessary, wasteful, and harmful to the environment and possibly human health. Experts widely condemned it as an obsolete technology unnecessary for the space program. The General Accounting Office found it would have provided no significant improvements in shuttle safety. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that its cancellation would save more than $1.6 billion over the next five years. And cleaner rocket fuels are available that release fewer polluting hydrochloric and aluminum particulates.

Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-AR) attempted to strip funding for the new shuttle booster from the VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. Both NASA and EPA are independent agencies funded by this bill, and because of budget limitations, EPA is forced to compete with other independent agencies for funding. The vote was on a motion by Subcommittee Chair Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) to table (kill) Sen. Bumpers amendment to eliminate the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor. The motion to table was agreed to 53-47 on September 22, 1993. NO is the pro-environmental vote.