Key Senate Appropriator Rejects Proposed 23% NASA Budget Cuts

Key Points

• Senator Moran opposes the 23% cut to NASA's overall budget proposed for FY 2027
• He seeks funding levels comparable to last year across all NASA programs
• A hearing with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has been scheduled
• The proposed cuts would disproportionately affect NASA's science programs

Full Details

Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations subcommittee, has declared his opposition to the White House's proposed 23% cut to NASA's overall budget, which would reduce funding to $18.8 billion. He committed to pursuing a robust and balanced NASA appropriations bill that supports exploration, science, aeronautics, and workforce programs at levels similar to the previous year. The administration's proposal includes even steeper cuts to NASA's science portfolio, space technology, and space operations, which has alarmed space advocates and scientists. Moran's subcommittee has scheduled a hearing with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to defend the agency's programs, though a specific date has not been announced. This pushback from a key Senate appropriator represents a significant political obstacle to the proposed cuts, as Congress ultimately controls federal spending.