1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I'm writing as a constituent deeply concerned about NASA's future leadership and organizational structure. Recent reporting about the power struggle over NASA's administration highlights critical decisions facing our space agency, and I want to share my perspective on what's at stake. NASA deserves Cabinet-level representation. Our space agency tackles challenges that define American innovation, from exploring Mars to understanding climate change to beating China in the new space race. These aren't transportation issues or afterthoughts. They're national priorities that warrant a seat at the table where major policy decisions get made. Elevating NASA to Cabinet status would signal to the world that America takes space exploration and scientific discovery as seriously as defense, commerce, or any other core function of government. However, folding NASA into the Department of Transportation would be a profound mistake. NASA isn't about moving things from point A to point B. It's about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, conducting groundbreaking research that touches everything from medicine to materials science, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Transportation logistics can't capture that mission. The two agencies have fundamentally different purposes, and trying to merge them would dilute NASA's identity and hamstring its ability to pursue bold scientific objectives. Most importantly, I urge you to protect and strengthen NASA's science budget. The agency's scientific work, from studying Earth's climate to searching for life on other worlds to understanding the fundamental nature of our universe, represents some of humanity's most important endeavors. In an era of budget cuts and restructuring, NASA's science programs must remain robust and well-funded. These investments pay dividends in ways we can't always predict, spurring technological breakthroughs and maintaining America's leadership in research and development. I know you face tough choices about NASA's leadership. Whoever you select should champion both exploration and science, understanding that these missions aren't competing priorities but complementary ones. They should have the vision to keep America ahead in space while ensuring NASA remains the world's premier scientific institution. Thank you for considering these views. NASA's best days can still be ahead of us, but only if we give the agency the structure, resources, and leadership it needs to thrive.