1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support robust funding for NASA's science programs and ensure the Jet Propulsion Laboratory receives flagship missions critical to maintaining American leadership in space exploration. The final appropriations bill released on January 5 provides $7.25 billion for NASA's Science Division, a modest decrease from the $7.33 billion in fiscal year 2025. While I appreciate that Congress rejected the administration's proposed cuts of nearly 50% to science programs, the current funding level still represents a reduction at a time when we should be investing in scientific discovery. More concerning is the decision not to support Mars Sample Return due to cost and schedule overruns, though $110 million was allocated to a Mars Future Missions account. JPL, located in California's 27th Congressional District, is a national treasure that has delivered transformative missions including the Mars rovers, Voyager spacecraft, and countless other groundbreaking projects. When flagship missions are canceled or underfunded, JPL faces workforce instability that threatens decades of accumulated expertise. The cancellation of Mars Sample Return, a mission JPL was leading, exemplifies this problem. Scientists and engineers cannot simply be turned on and off like a switch. When we lose this talent, we lose our competitive edge to China and other nations rapidly advancing their space capabilities. The appropriations bill does include positive elements, such as $110 million for Landsat Next in Earth science, which the administration sought to cancel. However, sustained investment in flagship missions is essential for JPL to maintain its workforce and continue delivering the scientific breakthroughs that benefit all Americans, from climate monitoring to planetary defense. I urge you to advocate for increased NASA science funding in future budget negotiations and work to ensure JPL receives flagship mission assignments that utilize its unique capabilities. American leadership in space depends on consistent, adequate funding for our premier research institutions.