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 Panetta's district directly benefits from NASA's Science Mission Directorate, notably through a $5.0 million grant to UC Santa Cruz for exoplanet research and additional contracts for scientific instruments. His consistent "Yea" votes on appropriations bills that fund NASA indicate general support for federal spending, including science. These local economic and scientific ties provide a strong foundation for advocating for continued investment in NASA science.
However, Panetta's legislative focus often prioritizes national security, veterans' affairs, and broader economic development, and he lacks a committee assignment directly overseeing space policy. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he faces numerous competing demands for federal funds, and there is no public record of him explicitly advocating for increased NASA science funding. While these factors present challenges, the significant local impact of NASA science programs offers a compelling argument for his office to consider increased investment, especially given the proposed FY2026 cuts.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider emphasizing the direct economic and scientific benefits of NASA's space science investments in CA-19, such as the significant grants to UC Santa Cruz and contracts with local businesses, and connect these local impacts to his consistent votes for appropriations bills that fund NASA.
Explore how increased investment in NASA's space science, especially in areas like exoplanet research at UC Santa Cruz, contributes to American technological leadership and a skilled STEM workforce, aligning with his broader interests in national competitiveness and economic development.
Look into sharing personal stories from constituents directly involved in or benefiting from NASA-funded science projects in the district, such as researchers at UC Santa Cruz or employees at local contract recipients, to illustrate the tangible impact of these investments.
About Jimmy Panetta
Graduated from UC Davis with a B.A. in international relations and Santa Clara Law School.
Served as a U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer, including a tour in Afghanistan.
Worked as a deputy district attorney for Monterey County, California.
Authored legislation aimed at curtailing certain types of animal testing.
Son of former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, holding his father's former congressional seat.
Opportunities
Local NASA Science Research Funding: The University of California Santa Cruz in his district received multiple significant NASA grants, including a $5.0M grant for exoplanet characterization and biosignature research, directly supporting NASA's Science Mission Directorate activities. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024), (UCSC News, 2022-09)
Local NASA Technology Contracts: Several businesses within CA-19, such as Syft Technologies and Dynamic Engineering, received NASA contracts for scientific instruments and components for sounding rocket missions, demonstrating direct local economic engagement with NASA's programs. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Vote for CJS Appropriations (FY2024): Representative Panetta voted "Yea" on H.R.4360, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, which directly funds NASA and its Science Mission Directorate. (GovTrack.us, 2023-07)
Consistent Support for Omnibus Appropriations: Representative Panetta consistently voted "Yea" on consolidated appropriations acts, including H.R.2617 (FY2023) and H.R.2882/H.R.4366 (FY2024), which contained funding for NASA and other federal science agencies. (GovTrack.us, 2022-12), (GovTrack.us, 2024-03)
Challenges
Competing Legislative Priorities: Representative Panetta's public statements and legislative activities frequently highlight issues such as national security, veterans' affairs, and local economic development, which may compete for his attention regarding federal funding priorities. (JimmyPanetta.house.gov, 2024-03)
Limited Explicit Advocacy for NASA Science: While his district benefits from NASA contracts, there is no readily available public record of Representative Panetta explicitly advocating for increased investment in NASA's space science activities.
Absence of Space-Specific Committee Assignment: Representative Panetta does not hold a seat on a committee with primary jurisdiction over space policy, such as the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which could limit his direct engagement with detailed NASA science policy development. (House.gov, 2025-01)
Budgetary Trade-offs on Appropriations: As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Representative Panetta faces the challenge of balancing numerous competing federal spending priorities, which could lead to difficult decisions regarding NASA science funding levels. (House.gov, 2025-01)
Additional Sources
[1] panetta.house.gov
"Panetta, Obernolte, and 26 Members Call for U.S. Aviation Leadership, Integration of Advanced Air Mobility into National Airspace. February 23, 2023. Santa Cruz, CA – U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Jay Obernolte (CA-23), co-chairs..."
https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/panetta-obernolte-and-26-members-call-us-aviation-leadership-integration
[2] panetta.house.gov
"Information on Services During the Partial Government Shutdown. Resources for federal employees can be found here: /services/resources-federal-employees Will my mail still arrive during the shutdown? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by..."
https://panetta.house.gov/information-services-during-partial-government-shutdown
[3] nbaa.org
"New Caucus Championing AAM. July/August 2022. Rep. Jay Obernolte and Rep. Jimmy Panetta are the co-chairs of the new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Caucus in the House of Representatives.. Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-8-CA), a business owner, serves on the..."
https://nbaa.org/news/business-aviation-insider/2022-07/new-caucus-championing-aam/