We also held regular briefings and engaged with thousands of scientists, congressional staff, and members of the public about the importance of NASA science. We facilitated more than 60 face-to-face meetings for prominent space leaders to advocate directly with legislators. We submitted testimony to congressional hearings. We relaunched the Congressional Planetary Science Caucus and grew the membership in the House and Senate.
As a result of these actions, Congress listened. In July, both the House and Senate proposed protecting NASA’s budget. In a normal year, that would have been the end of the story. But we face a real, credible threat to space exploration, as the White House is threatening to ignore Congress and enact their proposed cuts anyway.
The agency is battered and bruised. About 4,000 space explorers have left the agency, and many thousands more have left the industry altogether. I can’t predict what will happen before the end of the year, but what I do know is that your advocacy has made a real difference. In NASA’s darkest days, you ignited a candle of hope. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Please check out planetary.org/save-nasa-science for the latest information about our current advocacy campaign and how you can stay involved.