Former NASA Chief of Staff and Congressman George Whitesides (California's 27th District) issued a statement in response to the release of the FY 2027 budget request.

In the statement, Congressman Whitesides indicated that the OMB-drafted request is "dead on arrival" in Congress, citing the overwhelming bipartisan support for NASA's mission of exploration and discovery in the FY 2026 budget. 

NASA's full budget request document, known as the congressional justification, was released just hours after the OMB posted their "skinny" budget. Typically, this document comes out days or even weeks. 

Initial analysis shows the document lacking in significant details, including spending information for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 which is often provided to the public by these documents. There are few mentions of Administrator Isaacman's Ignition plans like the Moon Base, Space Reactor-1, and an accelerated Artemis Program. And the document makes the assumption that Congress had enacted last year's budget proposal, which did not happen. This inadequate document underscores how out of touch OMB is from the reality of space policy in 2026.

Stay tuned for updates about specific mission cancellations and other insights.

The Office of Management & Budget has officially released the FY 2027 "skinny" budget request, known as such because it only provides top-level details. More details are expected later in April, but the proposal looks shockingly familiar so far: 47% cut to NASA Science, elimination of the Office of STEM Engagement, cancellation of 40 or more space missions, and a retreat from deep space exploration ambitions.

Meanwhile, NASA is flying astronauts to the Moon for the first time in 50 years, major space projects are being constructed, and Administrator Isaacman has laid out an ambitious path forward for space science and exploration.

Take action now by writing your representatives and urge them to reject the cuts, just as they did in January.