Note: This analysis uses AI to help identify potential outreach strategies for space science issues. Because it uses AI, it is important to understand the sources and limitations of this analysis.
Space-related committee assignments (if present), and additional sources (if present), are from congress.gov and a direct output of a targeted web search.
Opportunities, challenges, overall summary, and preparation recommendations are products of AI analyses. The biography uses AI to summarize key aspects of the member's Wikipedia page.
All AI-generated claims, assessments, and recommendations should be independently verified.
This is an experimental feature, and intended to provide guidance and inspiration for outreach strategies for your meeting. Feedback is welcome: casey.dreier@planetary.org.
Overall Summary
Representative LaMalfa's consistent record of fiscal conservatism and opposition to large government spending packages, coupled with his expressed skepticism regarding climate change, suggests a challenging environment for advocating for increased NASA space science funding, particularly for Earth science. His lack of space-related committee assignments further limits direct influence, and his primary focus on agricultural and local issues may divert attention from broader space science priorities.
However, there are specific opportunities to engage. His district directly benefits from NASA grants to Makel Engineering for high-temperature electronics crucial for planetary science missions and to Chico State Enterprises for heliophysics research, bringing federal science investment directly to his constituents. Additionally, his co-leadership on a bipartisan letter advocating for agricultural research and development funding indicates a general appreciation for scientific investment that could be leveraged to discuss the broader benefits of NASA science.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider highlighting the direct economic and innovation benefits of NASA science grants to Makel Engineering and Chico State Enterprises in his district, emphasizing how these investments support local jobs and cutting-edge research.
Explore drawing parallels between his support for agricultural research and development and NASA's space science activities, framing both as crucial investments in innovation that drive technological advancement and American competitiveness.
Look into discussing how NASA's space science missions, particularly in planetary exploration and heliophysics, contribute to national security, technological leadership, and inspire future generations, aligning with broader national interests and a fiscally responsible approach to R&D.
About Doug LaMalfa
Fourth-generation rice farmer and owner/manager of a family farm.
Graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in agricultural business.
Served as a California State Assemblyman (2002-2008) and State Senator (2010-2012).
Expressed skepticism regarding scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change.
Opportunities
Local Planetary Science Investment: Representative LaMalfa's district benefits from a NASA grant to Makel Engineering, Inc. in Chico, CA, for developing high-temperature electronics crucial for Venus and gas giant missions, directly supporting planetary science objectives. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Local Heliophysics Research: Chico State Enterprises, located in Representative LaMalfa's district, received a NASA grant for research into solar magnetic active region formation, contributing to heliophysics understanding and bringing federal research dollars to a local educational institution. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Support for Research and Development: Representative LaMalfa co-led a bipartisan letter advocating for federal support and financial resources for mechanization and automation research and development in agriculture, indicating a general appreciation for R&D investment and potential for bipartisan collaboration on science-related funding. (LaMalfa.house.gov, 2024-02)
Challenges
Climate Change Skepticism: Representative LaMalfa has expressed skepticism regarding the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change, as evidenced by his public comments, including a September 20, 2023, interaction with Secretary Buttigieg where he dismissed climate change as "autumn." This stance indicates potential opposition to NASA's Earth science activities. (Siskiyou News, 2024-08)
Fiscal Conservatism/Opposition to Increased Spending: Representative LaMalfa has a consistent record of voting against large government spending packages, including the FY2023 government spending package and the "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," and supported a partial 2024 spending package that reduced overall spending, indicating a general reluctance to support increased federal budgets. (Congressman Doug LaMalfa - House.gov, 2024-03)
Lack of Space-Related Committee Influence: Representative LaMalfa holds no current committee assignments related to space in the 119th Congress, limiting his direct influence on NASA's budget and policy within the legislative process. (space_committees, N/A)
Strong Focus on Agricultural and Local Issues: His background as a rice farmer and his current committee assignments on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure suggest a primary focus on issues directly impacting his district's agricultural and rural economy, potentially diverting attention from space science advocacy. (Biography, N/A), (Ballotpedia, N/A)
Additional Sources
[1] lamalfa.house.gov
"Congressional Issues. More on Congressional Issues Congressman LaMalfa Ranked #3 In Congressional Speeches. December 19, 2023. (Washington, D.C.) – Last week, C-SPAN released a report tallying up which U.S. House Members spoke the most days on the..."
https://lamalfa.house.gov/issues/congressional-issues