Democrats Criticise NASA for Pre-Emptive Cuts Based on Trump Budget
Top Democrats on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee have strongly criticised NASA leaders for starting to implement cuts proposed in President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget, even before Congress finalises the agency’s funding. According to a letter seen by Reuters, lawmakers Zoe Lofgren and Valerie P. Foushee called these actions “illegal” and “offensive” to the US constitutional process.
NASA Moves Ahead Without Approved Budget
The controversy stems from comments made by NASA officials during recent employee town halls. According to the letter, acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy was told that senior officials are starting to realign the agency’s workforce and resources to fit Trump’s proposal. This proposed budget includes a $6 billion funding cut and plans to terminate dozens of science programs.
NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails reportedly told staff that action must start “based on what’s proposed” in the administration’s budget, suggesting NASA cannot wait for Congress to finalise its decision. NASA Chief of Staff Brian Hughes supported this approach, saying it would be “irresponsible” to delay realignment.
In addition, Hughes ordered NASA’s science teams—especially those facing cancellation—to stop releasing press statements about new discoveries. The Democrats’ letter criticised this directive as another sign of early implementation of the proposed budget cuts.
Lawmakers Demand Halt to Cuts
Lofgren and Foushee’s letter clearly states that only Congress has the power to approve or reject a presidential budget request. They warned that NASA’s current actions violate that principle, labelling the situation as “impoundment in action.” They urged NASA to halt any steps toward restructuring based on the proposed budget immediately.
Congress appears unlikely to approve the Trump administration’s suggested cuts. A draft spending bill from the House Appropriations Committee rejects the $6 billion reduction and maintains NASA’s funding near its 2025 level. This bill also shifts some funding toward space exploration programmes, showing bipartisan resistance to the administration’s proposal.
Broader Budget Tensions Surround NASA
Adding to the complexity, Republican Senator Ted Cruz included language in a recent reconciliation bill securing $10 billion over the next decade for programmes targeted by Trump’s budget, such as the Space Launch System rocket. Meanwhile, over 2,000 NASA staff are preparing to leave voluntarily under a “deferred resignation” scheme, linked to job cuts introduced under Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX is NASA’s largest contractor.
The White House has yet to comment on the controversy. However, tensions between Congress and the administration over control of NASA’s future are likely to escalate in the coming months.
with inputs from Reuters