1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose that portion of the Trump administration's proposed FY2027 budget, which would slash funding to NASA, NSF, NOAA, and NIST by 23 to 54 percent. These cuts would devastate American scientific research at a moment when international competition for scientific leadership has never been fiercer. The United States currently leads the world in scientific innovation, but that position is not guaranteed. China, Europe, and other nations are rapidly expanding their research investments and space programs. The proposed cuts would hand that advantage to our competitors. A 23% cut to NASA would terminate over 50 missions, including ongoing projects like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a $4.3 billion investment already launched and beginning critical work. Canceling mid-stream missions wastes years of development and billions already spent. Similarly, NOAA's 28% cut would eliminate satellite systems for climate and weather monitoring that took decades to build. NSF's 53% cut would terminate thousands of research grants supporting quantum computing, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and fundamental science where American competitiveness depends on continuous innovation. NIST's 54% cut would undermine the measurement standards and advanced research that underpins American manufacturing and technological leadership. These are not redundant programs. They are the foundation of American economic and scientific dominance. Congress already rejected a nearly identical proposal for FY2026, restoring NASA to $24.4 billion. I urge you to reject this proposal again. The administration simultaneously proposes increases to other space initiatives, revealing that these cuts are ideologically driven, not fiscally necessary. Federal science investment returns enormous dividends through innovation, jobs, and technological breakthroughs. Every dollar spent on research strengthens American competitiveness. Terminating ongoing projects mid-stream squanders that investment and cedes scientific leadership to nations that understand that research is a strategic priority, not an expendable luxury. I urge you to vote against any appropriations bill containing these cuts and to publicly oppose this budget proposal.