Overview
- The Senate Commerce Committee scheduled a second confirmation hearing for Jared Isaacman on Dec. 3, with the announcement made Nov. 18.
- President Trump renominated Isaacman on Nov. 4 after withdrawing the pick in May, even though the committee advanced him 19–9 following an April hearing.
- Lawmakers are expected to probe Isaacman’s support for the "Project Athena" blueprint that emphasizes expanded use of commercial capabilities, which he has said he stands behind.
- Context for the hearing includes the White House’s FY2026 proposal to cut NASA by nearly 25% contrasted with July’s reconciliation law that injected nearly $10 billion for exploration programs such as SLS and Gateway.
- Committee Chair Sen. Ted Cruz publicly backed Isaacman and tied the hearing to deploying the new funding and U.S. lunar ambitions, while groups like the Save NASA Science coalition voiced support for the renomination.