1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

The proposed budget cuts to NASA's science programs represent a devastating blow to American leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery. Slashing funding for astrophysics, heliophysics, Earth science, and planetary science by nearly 50% would cripple our ability to make groundbreaking advancements and answer fundamental questions about our universe. Critically important missions like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Mars Sample Return, and DAVINCI to Venus would be canceled, setting back our scientific progress by years if not decades. These short-sighted cuts undermine the very purpose of NASA and threaten to dismantle the agency's crown jewel – the Science Mission Directorate. From revealing the secrets of Pluto and Enceladus to the historic Mars Ingenuity helicopter flight, NASA's science achievements have captured the world's imagination and inspired generations of explorers and researchers. Maintaining robust funding for NASA's science programs is essential for driving innovation, expanding human knowledge, and upholding America's preeminence in space exploration. These cuts would not only jeopardize our scientific edge but also compromise invaluable collaborations with international partners and damage the nation's standing as a global leader in science and technology. A strong investment in NASA's science endeavors yields immense returns, fueling technological breakthroughs, advancing our understanding of the cosmos, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Prioritizing people over profits means recognizing the profound impact of NASA's work on humanity's collective progress. I urge you to safeguard the future of American space exploration and scientific excellence by rejecting these draconian cuts and ensuring robust funding for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.