$10 billion investment for NASA key to winning new space race
(Washington, D.C.) - This week, U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) and U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter to the Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Sean Duffy, urging swift implementation of the nearly $10 billion investment they championed through the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
In the letter, the lawmakers emphasize that the funds were intended to advance President Trump’s space priorities by bolstering NASA’s human exploration programs, securing a sustained U.S. presence on the Moon, and ultimately sending American astronauts to Mars. They requested a detailed spending plan from NASA that aligns with congressional intent and maintains U.S. leadership over China in the escalating space race.
As the chairmen wrote to Acting Administrator Duffy:
“Congratulations on your recent assignment to temporarily lead America’s space agency. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology are committed to the successful and expeditious implementation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) section in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). President Trump called this section a ‘historic investment in human space exploration’ for good reason. The OBBBA bolsters and refocuses NASA’s human exploration missions, supports returning to and maintaining a continuous American presence at the Moon, and helps to ultimately plant the Stars and Stripes on Mars. The investments made by OBBBA, along with substantive process and policy reforms in a forthcoming authorization act for NASA, will ‘ensure that America’s efforts in the realm of space remain innovative, efficient, and unmatched by other nations.’
“NASA must meet this moment and take advantage of the historic investment provided by Congress. To ensure appropriate and timely implementation of the law, consistent with congressional intent, we request that NASA submit a detailed spending, expenditure, and/or operating plan for the amounts made available pursuant to section 40005, Title IV of P.L. 119-21, not later than September 1, 2025. This plan should detail the spending by program, project, and activity, and include no less detail than the plan submitted pursuant to section 528 of Division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-42; 138 Stat. 174). We also request a briefing, no later than August 7, 2025, regarding the allocation and obligation of $250 million in fiscal year 2025 for expenses related to the operation of the International Space Station, as required by section 40005(a)(5), Title IV of P.L. 119-21.
“It has now been more than a month since President Trump signed OBBBA into law and a little less than two months away from the end of the fiscal year. With each passing day, NASA risks falling behind and failing to achieve the objectives of the nearly $10 billion provided by Congress in the OBBBA.
“We value your partnership and look forward to working with you to maintain NASA as the preeminent space exploration agency and the United States of America as the preeminent spacefaring nation.”
Read the letter HERE.