Overview
- Released Sept. 29, the Democratic staff report cites whistleblower documents alleging OMB has directed NASA since early summer to align work to the FY2026 President’s Budget Request before Congress acts.
- NASA’s chief of staff, Brian Hughes, is quoted telling employees that “they are doing the PBR” and that “if it’s not in the PBR, it does not count,” with much guidance delivered verbally rather than in writing.
- Whistleblowers report present safety impacts, a chilled Ombuds Program, and one near stop-work on a hazardous test, warning they are very concerned the current trajectory could lead to an astronaut death within a few years.
- The FY2026 proposal would cut NASA’s topline by about 24–25% with steeper reductions to science, while voluntary departures have already reduced the workforce by roughly 20%—about 3,800 to 4,000 people.
- The report highlights plans to consider impoundment under a continuing resolution and notes a recent OMB memo telling agencies to prepare reductions in force during a shutdown, as Congress moves to block unilateral implementation and preserve NASA funding.