CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — A provision in the budget reconciliation bill that funds the move of a space shuttle orbiter from the Smithsonian to a Houston museum continues to stir debate among senators amid concerns about the cost and viability of such a move.

A provision in the budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, enacted in July provided $85 million for a “space vehicle transfer.” While the language of the bill was not specific, that provision was interpreted by many to seek to move Discovery, currently at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in northern Virginia, to Space Center Houston.

NASA said Aug. 5 that it complied with language in the bill requiring the agency to select the vehicle for transfer but did not disclose the vehicle. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, immed

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