A group of lawmakers, including Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), have expressed concern over a proposed NASA budget plan that would cut funding for the Mars Sample Return mission by 50% and eliminate it entirely. The plan, reportedly sent to NASA by President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget, also targets other programs, including the Roman Space Telescope.
Rep. Chu, who represents California, has stated that the decision would devastate her region, workforce, and future scientific discoveries. She emphasized the importance of completing this mission and bringing back samples from Mars’ surface to maintain American leadership on the planet and pave the way for human exploration.
The Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, which Rep. Chu co-Chairs with Rep. Bacon, has released a joint statement urging lawmakers to reject the proposed cuts and designate robust funding for the Mars Sample Return mission. They argue that NASA’s science programs are crucial to supporting thousands of jobs nationwide and driving scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
The caucus warns that if enacted, these proposed cuts would demolish the space economy and workforce, threaten national security and defense capabilities, and surrender the US to its adversaries.
Source: https://nasawatch.com/space-science-news/congressional-planetary-science-caucus-concerned-about-mars-sample-return