Keith’s note: this is an excerpted version of a statement by Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD) on the Senate Passage of Commerce, Justice, Science, & Related Agencies FY 2026 Appropriations Bill – Legislation includes provisions on FBI Headquarters, NASA Goddard, NOAA; rejects Trump Administration cuts to critical programs: Key Bill Points & Highlights: [Note NASA, NSF, NIST, NOAA excerpts] (more below)

Keith’s note: According to a press release “U.S. Science Leadership Survives Existential Threat From Trump Budget as Cantwell Rallies Colleagues to Reject Gutting NASA, NSF, & NIST“ from Senator Maria Cantwell: “America’s leading science agencies have survived an existential threat thanks to bipartisan rejection of massive budget cuts proposed by the Trump Administration, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Finance Committee, announced today.” (Full text below)

Keith’s note: According to this White House release a bunch of renominations of people who did not get their confirmation process completed before the end of 2025 have been re-nominated – including “Matthew Anderson, of Colorado, to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration”. So – welcome back Matt.

Keith’s note: according to a press release “Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs Statement on House Passage of FY26 Full-Year Funding for Space, Science, and Exploration”: “the U.S. House of Representatives voted 397-28 to pass H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026. Rep Judy Chu (CA-28) and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), who both co-Chair the bipartisan Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, released the following joint statement: (more below)

Keith’s note: here’s your expert summary from Marcia Smith at Space Policy Online: “The House and Senate Appropriations Committees released the text of their joint conference agreement on the FY2026 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) bill today with a wholesale rejection of the dire cuts to NASA proposed by the Trump Administration. The committees had individually indicated they would not accept Trump’s 24.3 percent cut and the joint agreement calls for only a comparatively small reduction of $400 million from NASA’s $24.8 billion FY2025 budget. It’s still a cut, though, and inflation will reduce the buying power of that money, but if enacted the outcome is a vast improvement over what the agency was facing a few months ago.” More at “Great News for NASA in the House-Senate FY2026 Appropriations Report“.

Keith’s note: Good Morning NASA. Critics wallow in the mud. Heroes live above the sky and reach for the stars. You rock Mark Kelly. Turn up the volume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ydz5-ecdpg

Keith’s note: Jared Isaacman’s confirmation has been approved by the Senate by a vote of 67 – 30. Next stop is swearing in. So we may have a new NASA Administrator this week.

Keith’s note: Senate Majority Leader Thune has filed cloture (the formal process to end a filibuster and force a vote on a bill, motion, or nomination) as shown on Executive Calendar #593 for Jared Isaacman to become Administrator of NASA. Final action is expected in the coming week. 16 Dec Update: According to Marcia Smith:

Keith’s note: according to a press release from House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology “House SST Committee Investigates Alleged Misconduct in Agency Civil Rights Offices” letters have been sent to a number of agencies (including NASA) “following disturbing reports of potential obstructionism within agencies’ Office of Civil Rights (OCRs). The letters seek to determine the scope of this obstructionism and to inform appropriate oversight measures to ensure OCRs are fulfilling their statutory responsibilities.” More Below.

Keith’s note: NASA issued a release moments ago: “The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported favorably on the nomination of Jared Isaacman to serve as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, advancing the nomination to the Senate Floor for consideration by the full legislative body. During his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, December 3rd, Isaacman received strong bipartisan support for his swift confirmation. … The committee’s favorable report allows Isaacman to advance for consideration of full Senate confirmation.”

Keith’s note: NASA likes to talk about all the wonderful ways that they do things that affect everyone and improve their lives. But how they do this is inconsistent with regard to large portions of our country and large sectors of society. And it is often out of date and regularly misses the point when it comes to what real people are thinking about in terms of their life’s priorities. This popped up in Congress today while Jared Isaacman was testifying. More below.

Keith’s note: There will be a Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Hearing: “Strategic Trajectories: Assessing China’s Space Rise and the Risks to U.S. Leadership” Thursday, 4 Dec at 9:00 AM EST. Watch live here, Here is the charter. One tweet from the committee said “China’s rapid progress in space is a serious concern for the U.S.—threatening our leadership, national security, and economic future. Tomorrow, we will examine this challenge and what America must do to stay ahead.” OK, so enough arm waving. If you want NASA to effectively compete with China in space then don’t endorse NASA budget cuts and deep personnel cuts in FY 2026 as put forth by the Administration. All this rhetoric is just hot air. Do something. Or just sit down. Just sayin’.

Keith’s note: Testimony from Jared Isaacman at his confirmation hearing on 3 December 2025: “Thank you Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished members of the committee. I am honored and grateful to be here before you again as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.” More below.

Keith’s note: NASA Public Affairs has issued a bunch of pre-re-nomination reviews regarding Jared Isaacman to be come NASA administrator. Read the glowing words of support below.

Keith’s note: on Wednesday 3 Dec the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a nomination hearing for Jared Isaacman (NASA) and Steven Haines (Commerce) at 10:00 am EST. It will be live streamed on the committee website and on YouTube. Meanwhile, NASA TV does not seem to have it listed. According to Marcia Smith “Sen. Cruz has already announced the Commerce committee will vote on Isaacman’s nomination next Monday, Dec. 8, at 5:30 pm ET, along with seven others. … Senate vote can be anytime thereafter.” There is talk of trying to fast track this vote so we could see Isaacman on the 9th floor in a week or so.

Keith’s note: House Science Committee Democrats just issued this press release that includes a letter and detailed spreadsheet listing GSFC changes to personnel, programs, and facilities in excruciating detail – and requests NASA feedback. My quick take: It would seem that no one is doing any real work at GSFC until next spring since everything is moving, being sold off, rebuilt, closed down. Other centers have similar albeit more localized changes like this but all of the actions have not hit them yet. So NASA will have lost staff, lose budget (programs, missions etc.) one way or another, and everyone is moving their offices or waiting for people to get to their new locations before resuming work. ‘Time for a new NASA phone book’ as we’d say at NASA. Full text and links below.

Keith’s note: This press release came out from Senator John Cornyn about a meeting with Jared Isaacman and then goes into a litany of complaints about retired space shuttle destinations: “Mr. Isaacman committed to follow Sen. Cornyn’s provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, now law, to move the Space Shuttle Discovery in one piece from Virginia to its rightful home in Space City.” OK – a summary:

1. The bill never says “Space Shuttle Discovery” and you could meet the requirement in the bill with a Mercury, Gemini, or Apollo capsule. Or a commercial vehicle. Or a Soyuz in Washington, DC.
2. Moving a spacecraft “in one piece” – well if it is a shuttle either they will have to recreate the 747 carrier aircraft ($$$$) or do major highway modifications in northern Virgina ($$$$). In other words vastly more money will be needed than has been called for to date.
3. If the money is not found and or the infrastructure is unavailable then Discovery will not be moving. So you can support the unlikely move but not lose the orbiter at the same time.
4. Congress could get more descriptive and add money but at a time when dozens of missions are being cancelled that is going to be problematical.
5. Nice summary here at Transfer of a Space Vehicle: Issues for Congress online at Congress.gov
6. And of course you should check out the folks at KeepTheShuttle.

Keith’s note: Last week a large group of former NASA astronauts sent a letter to Senators Cruz and Cantwell in support of Jared Isaacman’s nomination to be NASA Administrator. His (re)nomination hearing will be held on Wednesday. Letter below.

Keith’s note: A press release from Representatives Chu, Bacon et al urges “Strong Final FY26 Appropriations for Space Science and Exploration.” Full text and letter below.