Keith’s note: I will be appearing on “CNN This Morning” at 6:35 am EDT on Thursday to discuss significant developments regarding NASA layoffs and the pressing question of whether the United States will relinquish its leadership in space exploration to China.
At 9:30 am EDT on the same day, a comprehensive markup session will take place within the Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. This committee holds crucial jurisdiction over key agencies including NASA, NSF (National Science Foundation), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), and others.
In a recent update from Politico Pro, when asked about the potential impact of the scheduled Senate markup on the White House’s NASA bill, Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) expressed optimism about the future of science funding, stating, “The answer is yes.” This comment raises important considerations about the future financial support for science initiatives and space exploration.
As these discussions unfold, the implications of the decisions made during the Senate markup could significantly affect the trajectory of American space leadership and the broader scientific community. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.