Lawmakers warn that proposed cuts to science and STEM funding risk data gaps and pipelines

Several Members pressed Administrator Isaacman on whether the agency’s FY2027 proposal would create gaps in Earth science and climate monitoring and whether eliminating the Office of STEM Engagement would damage internship and grant pipelines. Representative Baird and others said the science directorate faces proposed reductions larger than 50 percent in some lines and asked how NASA would prevent gaps in critical datasets used for wildfire, drought and disaster response.

Isaacman responded that the proposed reductions emphasize programs still in formulation and that NASA plans to rely more on emerging commercial constellations for continuity in earth observation where those services are available. He said the agency is committed to avoiding data gaps for operations that rely on continuous monitoring and listed on-orbit assets (NISAR, SWOT, others) and commercial partners as part of redundancy planning. On STEM engagement, Members from both parties warned that eliminating a congressionally authorized office would undercut space‑grant programs, minority university support, and internship pathways; Isaacman said that internships and many grants are funded across mission directorates outside the office and pledged to show how the agency will preserve hands‑on opportunities while consolidating duplicative functions.

Members asked for concrete lists of programs the administration expects to alter in FY2027 to allow Congress to evaluate impacts before appropriations are finalized. The administration acknowledged that some informulation science missions may be de‑emphasized to preserve flagship work, but could not provide a complete list at the hearing.