Featured

Mark Kelly and Bill Nye Warn Of Proposed NASA Budget Cuts

Senator Mark Kelly and prominent science educator Bill Nye have issued warnings about potential cuts to NASA's research programs as Congress considers the agency's 2026 funding.

Both addressed concerns about proposed reductions that could affect the space agency's scientific work. The fiscal year 2026 budget proposal suggests cutting NASA's overall funding from $24.9 billion to $18.8 billion, representing a 25% decrease.

"[Bill Nye] and I have an important message: Science at NASA is in danger. NASA science gives us so much more than rockets and moon rocks. It grows our economy, strengthens national security, and creates entirely new industries and jobs,” Senator Mark Kelly shared in an X post.

The proposed budget includes a 47% reduction in NASA's science programs, dropping funding from current levels to $3.9 billion. 

Space News reports that this would potentially eliminate more than 40 research projects and missions currently in development or operation, according to space policy analysts.

Kelly emphasized the interconnected nature of NASA's scientific work, noting that "scientific research at NASA is in danger."

Jenga Tower Analogy

Both Kelly and Nye used an analogy to describe the potential impact, commenting that "NASA science and innovation is like this tower (Jenga tower), every block, piece by piece, built over decades. Earth science. Astrophysics. Planetary science. Space exploration. All of it builds on what came before and expands our knowledge." "But when you start pulling out support, getting rid of thousands of NASA's most experienced engineers and scientists. Threatening to cancel space missions that have been years or even decades in the making, it breaks," they explained.

The workforce implications are significant, with NASA's civil servant count potentially dropping from approximately 17,000 to 11,000 positions under the proposed budget.

The proposed changes back in May would affect multiple scientific disciplines, including planetary research, Earth observation, astrophysics, and solar studies. 

Proposed Budget

However, the budget includes increased funding for Mars exploration initiatives, allocating over $1 billion for human Mars mission development.

Alongside, new programs proposed in the budget include $864 million for commercial Moon-to-Mars transportation systems and funding for Mars surface technology development, including specialized spacesuits for Martian conditions.

The budget proposal represents the most significant year-over-year reduction suggested for NASA in decades.

"Gutting NASA science? It's a bad idea," Kelly warned.

Ericka Piñon

Ericka Pinon is a state and federal reporter for Cactus Politics. She was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is currently studying Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.

Recent Posts

Juan Ciscomani Rips Gallego's Congressional Salary Remark

Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) ripped Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) for his remarks on X about…

5 hours ago

Karrin Taylor Robson Welcomes David Schweikert's Gubernatorial Bid

Karrin Taylor Robson issued a statement this week welcoming U.S. Rep. David Schweikert to the…

5 hours ago

Kris Mayes Sues Zillow, Redfin Over Deal That Could Raise Rent Prices

Attorney General Kris Mayes is teaming up with four other states to sue Zillow and…

6 hours ago

Planned Parenthood Arizona Suspends Medicaid Services

Planned Parenthood Arizona announced it will no longer provide services to patients using Medicaid. The…

8 hours ago

88 Proposed Laws Threatened 660K Jobs, Could Have Reshaped Arizona's Economy

Arizona's state legislature chose not to pass 88 bills during the 2025 session that could…

8 hours ago

SNAKEBITE— 10.1.25— AZ Healthcare Changes— Schweikert for Governor— Shutdown Imminent?— Nguyen, Robson, Trump at Quantico, Much More...

AZ Healthcare Changes State Senator Janae Shamp (R-29) and State Representative Julie Willoughby (R-13) are…

10 hours ago