Maryland Lawmakers Urge Trump Administration to Protect NASA Funding Amid Proposed Cuts

A coalition of Maryland lawmakers, including Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey, is strongly opposing proposed federal funding cuts to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center as outlined in President Trump's anticipated 2026 budget. During a recent tour of the facility in Greenbelt, lawmakers highlighted the critical role that NASA Goddard plays in space exploration, technological innovation, and national security. They emphasized that the proposed cuts could jeopardize significant ongoing projects, such as the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope and the Habitable Worlds project, both of which are deemed vital for maintaining U.S. leadership in space research and technology. The lawmakers warned that these changes would not only adversely affect Maryland but would have wider implications for the nation's competitive edge in science and technology, particularly in relation to global competitors like China. In light of the Trump administration's larger strategy of federal budget cuts across various sectors, including education and research, they fear this could result in the U.S. losing its position as a leader in space exploration and scientific innovation. Their impassioned plea reflects growing concerns about the long-term impact of budgetary decisions on America's standing in various fields, especially as competition with nations like China intensifies.