The Planetary Science Congressional Caucus

The bipartisan, bicameral Planetary Science Caucus was founded in January of 2018 with the following mission:

The Planetary Science Caucus unites members of Congress from both parties who are passionate about the scientific exploration of space and promotes efforts to:

  • Raise awareness of the benefits of federal investment in space science, technology, exploration, and STEM education which grows jobs and boosts the nation's economy.
  • Support private industry, academic institutions, and nonprofits that research and explore space.
  • "Find life in our lifetimes," by advancing federal policies that support the search for life in our solar system and beyond.

The caucus is reconstituted every 2 years with each new congress. The caucus for the 117th Congress (2021 - 2023) is currently being organized.

116th Congress Caucus Members

The Planetary Science Caucus in the 116th congress (2019 - 2021) was composed of the following officials:

House of Representatives

MemberPartyState
Derek Kilmer (Chair)DWA
Steve Palazzo (Chair)RMS
David SchweikertRAZ
Ami BeraDCA
Judy ChuDCA
Zoe LofgrenDCA
Alan LowenthalDCA
Jerry McNerneyDCA
Brad ShermanDCA
Adam SchiffDCA
Jackie SpeierDCA
Ed PerlmutterDCO
Bill PoseyRFL
John RutherfordRFL
Darren SotoDFL
Frederica WilsonDFL
Bill FosterDIL
Jim McGovernDMA
Don BaconRNE
Nydia VelazquezDNY
Kendra HornDOK
Matt CartwrightDPA
David CicillineDRI
Lizzie FletcherDTX
Don BeyerDVA
A. Donald McEachinDVA
Abigail SpanbergerDVA
Pramila JayapalDWA
Adam SmithDWA

Senate

SenatorPartyState
Doug JonesDAL
Kyrsten SinemaDAZ
Cory GardnerRCO
Gary PetersDMI
Jeff MerkleyDOR
Maria CantwellDWA

115th Congress Caucus Members

The following members of Congress were in the caucus during the 115th Congress (2017 - 2019):

House of Representatives

MemberPartyState
John Culberson (Chair)RTX
Derek Kilmer (Chair)DWA
David SchweikertRAZ
Kyrsten SinemaDAZ
Judy ChuDCA
Ami BeraDCA
Jackie SpeierDCA
Adam SchiffDCA
Zoe LofgrenDCA
Alan LowenthalDCA
Jerry McNerneyDCA
Ed PerlmutterDCO
Elizabeth EstyDCT
Bill PoseyRFL
Frederica WilsonDFL
John RutherfordRFL
Darren SotoDFL
Madeleine BordalloDGU
Bill FosterDIL
Randy HultgrenRIL
Jim McGovernDMA
Steven PalazzoRMS
Don BaconRNE
Nydia VelazquezDNY
Matt CartwrightDPA
David CicillineDRI
A. Donald McEachinDVA
Don BeyerDVA
Adam SmithDWA
Pramila JayapalDWA

Senate

MemberPartyState
Doug JonesDAL
Cory GardnerRCO
Gary PetersDMI
Jeff MerkleyDOR
Maria CantwellDWA