Ranking Member Lofgren Expresses Concern Over NASA’s Relationship with Department of Defense
(Washington, DC) – Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Acting Administrator Sean Duffy expressing her serious concern regarding NASA’s relationship with the Department of Defense (DoD).
“NASA is empowered by Congress to exercise civilian leadership over America’s space program for the peaceful purposes of research and exploration,” Ranking Member Lofgren wrote in her letter. “The agency’s long and storied history in pursuit of these endeavors is a triumphant one that has inspired generations of Americans – and people all around the world – to dream of the stars and imagine the impossible. As a result, NASA consistently ranks among the most popular agencies in the federal government here at home while serving as an immeasurable source of American soft power abroad. The intangible qualities that make NASA a beacon of hope for the world are difficult to define, but they are a precious national asset all the same. Nothing should ever be allowed to jeopardize them.”
She continued, “It is my understanding that NASA’s relationship with the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to evolve. I have serious concerns about NASA’s developing relationship with the U.S. Air Force that will need to be addressed. NASA must remain focused on its mission as a civil space agency and a scientific agency. It cannot permit unrelated priorities to distract it from its mission or impair its ability to achieve its ambitious objectives in space for the benefit of humanity here on Earth. Just as importantly, it must avoid taking any action that could undermine the inimitable place NASA holds in the public imagination. I will not hesitate to make these points as I conduct oversight on this issue in the weeks and months to come. In the meantime, I request that NASA immediately inform the Committee should it take any actions that will impact its ability to carry out its mission due to its relationship with DoD.”
Read the letter here.
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