Overview

• The Trump administration's draft FY2026 budget proposes a nearly 50% reduction in NASA science funding, with significant impacts on NASA Goddard's programs.
• Maryland lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Reps. Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey, are working to block the cuts, citing risks to national security, innovation, and global leadership.
• Key projects, such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the DAVINCI Venus probe, face potential cancellation under the proposed cuts.
• Lawmakers warn that reduced NASA funding could allow China to close the gap or surpass U.S. space science capabilities, jeopardizing U.S. competitiveness.
• Concerns have been raised that the cuts may be politically motivated, targeting Democratic-leaning states like Maryland and California.