U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman Ted Cruz and U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Brian Babin have called for the prompt release of nearly $10 billion in NASA funding provided through the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The two lawmakers sent a letter to Sean Duffy, Acting Administrator of NASA, urging the agency to quickly implement the investment aimed at advancing American space exploration goals.
The letter notes that these funds are intended to support President Trump’s space priorities. These include strengthening NASA’s human exploration programs, maintaining a continuous U.S. presence on the Moon, and preparing for future missions to Mars. Cruz and Babin requested that NASA submit a detailed spending plan by September 1, 2025. They also asked for a briefing by August 11 regarding the allocation of $250 million for International Space Station operations in fiscal year 2025.
“Congratulations on your recent assignment to temporarily lead America’s space agency. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology are committed to the successful and expeditious implementation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) section in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). President Trump called this section a ‘historic investment in human space exploration’ for good reason. The OBBBA bolsters and refocuses NASA’s human exploration missions, supports returning to and maintaining a continuous American presence at the Moon, and helps to ultimately plant the Stars and Stripes on Mars. The investments made by OBBBA, along with substantive process and policy reforms in a forthcoming authorization act for NASA, will ‘ensure that America’s efforts in the realm of space remain innovative, efficient, and unmatched by other nations.’
“NASA must meet this moment and take advantage of the historic investment provided by Congress. To ensure appropriate and timely implementation of the law, consistent with congressional intent, we request that NASA submit a detailed spending, expenditure, and/or operating plan for the amounts made available pursuant to section 40005, Title IV of P.L. 119-21, not later than September 1, 2025. This plan should detail the spending by program, project, and activity, and include no less detail than the plan submitted pursuant to section 528 of Division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-42; 138 Stat. 174). We also request a briefing, no later than August 11, 2025 regarding the allocation and obligation of $250 million in fiscal year 2025 for expenses related to the operation of the International Space Station as required by section 40005(a)(5), Title IV of P.L. 119-21.
“It has now been more than a month since President Trump signed OBBBA into law and a little less than two months away from the end of the fiscal year. With each passing day NASA risks falling behind and failing to achieve objectives of nearly $10 billion provided by Congress in OBBBA.
“We value your partnership and look forward to working with you to maintain NASA as preeminent space exploration agency as United States of America as preeminent spacefaring nation.”
The lawmakers stressed that delays could hinder progress toward meeting congressional objectives set out in OBBBA.
