There is little doubt that the US space program has met with some scrutiny in regards to what its direction should be. The undersigned propose that NASA's next budget include more funding directed at building commercial infrastructure in cis-lunar space.
Increasing our utilization of the resources in cis-lunar space can help improve our bottom line by adding revenue to the US economy. Finding ways to make space activity more sustainable will help NASA's scientific goals as well.
If we want to remain the leader in space, the US needs to continue nurturing the seeds of this new commercial industry. If US companies do not corner the market in access to space and the utilization of space resources (such as consumables, building materials, rare elements, and energy), then other nations will.