MENG MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPORT NASA INNOVATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, wrote a letter to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Acting Administrator Janet Petro making her own recommendations on how the agency can improve efficiency, support the dedicated employees, and strengthen the United States’ leadership in space exploration.
Recently, Acting Administrator Petro called on NASA employees to submit suggestions to senior leadership on how the agency can improve efficiency and support the President’s “Workforce Optimization Initiative”, including methods to streamline processes, create new and better ways of working, and focus limited resources on future mission success.
In her letter, Rep. Meng wrote, “I understand you recently invited NASA employees to share ideas to improve the agency’s efficiency. I applaud this invitation, and I hope you will pay close attention to these ideas. As you know, however, many of these employees find themselves in fear of losing their jobs and of adverse changes to the mission and capabilities of NASA. In acknowledgment of our shared support for NASA and its outstanding employees, and in support of a strong NASA that leads the world in science and human space exploration, I offer to you several ideas of my own that can improve NASA and America’s space industry and the 373,000 jobs it provides.”
Meng’s suggestions are:
- Work with the White House and others in this Administration to end the self-destructive Trump tariff tax before it damages the commercial space industry and the Artemis program.
- Do not cut scientific research in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request.
- Do not abandon NASA’s commitment to STEM education.
- Make public NASA’s ethics arrangements with Elon Musk and his staff.
Meng serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS), which oversees NASA. Each year, the agency receives more than $20 billion in federal funding. NASA leads the study of Earth science, the solar system, and the larger universe, conducting cutting-edge research to advance science and technology and improve the lives of people all over the world.
A copy of the letter can be viewed here.