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 DeGette's lack of direct committee assignments on space or appropriations, coupled with her stated legislative priorities in healthcare and biomedical research, suggests she may not be a primary champion for increased NASA space science funding. There is no public record of her explicitly advocating for greater investment in NASA's science mission, which could make direct influence challenging.
However, her district benefits significantly from substantial NASA science contracts and grants, including major projects in planetary science (MAVEN) and Earth/heliophysics science (TSIS), indicating a direct local stake in these programs. Her consistent support for federal science research, demonstrated through bipartisan efforts like the Stem Cell Research Act, suggests a potential receptiveness to arguments emphasizing the scientific and economic benefits of NASA's science mission to her constituents.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider highlighting how NASA's Earth science activities, such as the TSIS mission and wildfire detection research conducted by Urban Sky Theory Inc. in her district, directly align with her legislative history of supporting environmental issues and renewable energy standards.
Explore emphasizing the bipartisan nature of support for NASA's space science and how her voice, even without direct committee assignments, can strengthen a broad coalition for federal science investment, similar to her work on the Stem Cell Research Act.
Look into sharing specific examples of how NASA science investments, particularly the MAVEN and TSIS missions at the University of Colorado, directly benefit her constituents through job creation, scientific advancement, and educational opportunities, perhaps through personal anecdotes from those involved.
About Diana DeGette
Graduated Colorado College (B.A., political science) and NYU School of Law (J.D.).
Practiced law, specializing in civil rights and employment litigation.
As a legislator, championed federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Co-authored bipartisan Stem Cell Research Act of 2011.
Authored state Voluntary Cleanup Act; supported renewable energy standards.
Opportunities
Significant District Investment in NASA Science: Her district benefits from substantial NASA contracts and grants supporting planetary science (MAVEN), Earth science (TSIS), and other research, indicating a direct local stake in continued NASA science funding. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Consistent Support for Federal Science Research: Representative DeGette has a legislative history of championing federal funding for scientific research, notably co-authoring the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Act of 2011, which suggests a general inclination to support federal investment in science. (Biography)
Sustained Investment in District-Based Research: Ongoing NASA contracts and grants to institutions in her district, such as the University of Colorado, for projects like the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission and the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS), demonstrate a continuous federal investment in local scientific and technological capabilities. (USAspending, FY22-FY24)
Demonstrated Bipartisan Collaboration on Science Policy: Representative DeGette co-authored the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Act of 2011, demonstrating a willingness to work across the aisle on federal science policy issues. (Biography)
Broad Local Engagement in Diverse NASA Science Disciplines: Her district hosts institutions engaged in a variety of NASA Science Mission Directorate activities, including planetary science (MAVEN), heliophysics/Earth science (TSIS), Earth observation for wildfire detection, and astrophysics research, indicating a broad local interest in NASA's scientific endeavors. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Challenges
Lack of Direct Legislative Influence: Representative DeGette does not hold any committee assignments related to space or appropriations in the 119th Congress, limiting her direct legislative leverage over NASA's budget and policy. (Authoritative Committee Data)
Competing Legislative Priorities: Her legislative record and recent public statements consistently highlight healthcare, biomedical research, and environmental issues as primary legislative focuses, potentially diverting attention from space science advocacy. (DeGette.house.gov, 2024-03; DeGette.house.gov, 2023-03)
Absence of Explicit NASA Science Advocacy: No recent public record explicitly shows Representative DeGette advocating for increased investment specifically in NASA's space science or exploration activities. (No public record found)