Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Judy Chu (CA-28) have led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging House Appropriations Committee leaders to ensure that NASA funding is protected in the upcoming short-term Continuing Resolution (CR). The lawmakers sent a letter requesting that language be included in the CR to maintain NASA funding at no less than current levels.
The members stated, “Without an anomaly providing guidance on the NASA budget, OMB has pledged to apply its proposed FY 2026 cuts as soon as October 1st. That would result in an unprecedented, single-year cut to NASA, particularly NASA’s space science activities, resulting in irreversible impacts on America’s space leadership and capabilities.”
According to the letter, if implemented, the proposed cuts from the FY26 President’s Budget Request could disrupt project timelines, risk increased costs, result in discarding operational spacecraft, weaken national security, hinder the space economy, and reduce American leadership in space compared to countries like China. The letter acknowledged that House Appropriators had largely rejected these cuts but emphasized that explicit direction is needed in the CR so that Congressional intent is followed.
The lawmakers concluded their request by stating: “We therefore respectfully ask the Committee to include language in the CR explicitly protecting NASA funding at no less than the FY 2024/2025 enacted levels. Congress has acted before to protect essential programs under CRs, and NASA – a vital part of our economy, our national security, and our global standing – deserves the same protection.”
Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society, commented: “Congress has made its intentions clear: NASA should not be cut, and America’s leadership in space science must be preserved. This message is bipartisan and bicameral. There is no ambiguity here. But given the uncertainty projected by OMB, and the irreversible consequences of potentially terminating dozens of one-of-a-kind space assets and disbanding skilled teams across the country, it is critical that our elected officials provide clear directives in the upcoming Continuing Resolution. We commend the Co-Chairs of the Planetary Science Caucus and its allies for taking this strong stand to protect NASA and ensure congressional intent is respected on October 1st and through all of FY 2026.”
Don Bacon currently represents Nebraska’s 2nd district in Congress after replacing Brad Ashford in 2017. He was born in Momence, Illinois in 1963 and lives in Papillion. Bacon graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BA degree before also graduating from University of Phoenix.
