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
Senator Moody has demonstrated strong support for Florida's space industry, including efforts to relocate NASA headquarters to the state and championing legislation that benefits space infrastructure. The substantial NASA science contracts and grants in Florida, particularly to institutions like the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida for direct science missions, provide a compelling local economic and scientific argument. However, her consistent emphasis on fiscal conservatism and reducing federal spending, alongside her lack of direct committee assignments related to space or science, presents a significant challenge for advocating for increased NASA science funding.
Her past opposition to climate-related federal regulations could also make advocacy for Earth science funding particularly difficult, as her public statements often prioritize space investment through an economic and national security lens rather than pure scientific exploration. Advocates will need to clearly articulate how increased investment in NASA's Science Mission Directorate directly contributes to Florida's economic growth, technological innovation, and national competitiveness, especially in the face of proposed budget cuts.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider highlighting specific NASA science contracts and grants in Florida, such as those at the University of Central Florida and University of Florida, to demonstrate the direct economic and educational benefits to her constituents and the state's "aerospace science, research and test ecosystem."
Explore how increased NASA science funding directly supports the research and development activities at Florida universities, fostering innovation and a skilled workforce, which aligns with her focus on Florida's role in space exploration.
Look into framing NASA's space science investments as critical for maintaining U.S. leadership in technology and national security, generating long-term economic returns, and inspiring the next generation of innovators in Florida.
About Ashley Moody
Holds bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from the University of Florida.
Earned law degrees from the University of Florida and Stetson University College of Law.
Served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Circuit Court Judge in Florida.
Served as Florida's Attorney General from 2019 to 2025.
Appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2025.
Opportunities
Support for Space Infrastructure Investment: Senator Moody championed the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act, enacted in July 2025, which makes spaceport facility bonds tax-exempt to spur private capital investment in space infrastructure, recognizing spaceports as economic engines and strategic assets. This directly benefits Florida's numerous space-related entities, including those with NASA contracts in Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island.
Advocacy for NASA's Presence in Florida: Senator Moody introduced the Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently (CAPE) at Canaveral Act in March 2025, seeking to relocate NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast, arguing it would improve efficiency, foster collaboration with private space companies, and leverage Florida's skilled aerospace workforce and existing "aerospace science, research and test ecosystem." This directly connects to NASA's significant presence and operations in Florida.
Emphasis on Florida's Role in Space Exploration and Innovation: Senator Moody consistently highlights Florida as a "gateway to space" and a leader in "space exploration and innovation," emphasizing the state's economic impact and high launch volume. This general support for the space sector creates a favorable environment for NASA's diverse activities, including science missions.
Engagement with Research and Academic Institutions: Senator Moody led a roundtable in March 2025 with university presidents, including those from the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida, to discuss space industry growth and NASA's presence. Both universities receive substantial NASA grants for science activities, such as UCF's Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) and Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE), and UF's Gravitational Reference Advanced Technology Test In Space (GRATTIS). (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Bipartisan Collaboration on Space Legislation: The Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act, which Senator Moody helped draft and became law in July 2025, was introduced with bipartisan support, demonstrating her ability to work across the aisle on space-related initiatives. This indicates potential for collaborative efforts on NASA science funding.
Challenges
Lack of Direct Space/Science Committee Role: Senator Moody holds no current committee assignments directly related to space or science, which may limit her direct influence on NASA's science budget and policy within the congressional committee structure. (Ballotpedia, 2025-01; Congress.gov, 2025-01)
Fiscal Conservatism and Spending Reduction Focus: Senator Moody has consistently emphasized reining in federal spending and reducing government waste, which could lead to scrutiny of budget increases for federal agencies, including NASA science programs. (LiveNOW from FOX, 2025-03; CBS Miami, 2025-01; My Florida Legal, 2025-01)
Opposition to Climate-Related Federal Regulations: As Attorney General, Senator Moody led legal actions against EPA emissions rules and "environmental justice" initiatives, characterizing them as "radical Green New Deal policies" and "nonsensical government overregulation," which may indicate skepticism towards federal science initiatives perceived as climate-related. (My Florida Legal, 2024-04; GLI, 2024-06)
Prioritization of Economic and National Security Space Interests: While strongly supportive of Florida's space industry, Senator Moody's public statements often frame space investment in terms of economic growth, public-private partnerships, and national security competitiveness, potentially prioritizing these aspects over pure science missions. (Office of U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, 2025-07; FOX 35 Orlando, 2025-07)
Limited Explicit Advocacy for Specific Science Directorates: Despite advocating for the relocation of NASA headquarters to Florida and supporting spaceport infrastructure, there is no explicit public record found detailing her specific advocacy for increased investment in NASA's Science Mission Directorate activities (astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, Earth science, and biological and physical sciences). (No public record found)
Additional Sources
[1] moody.senate.gov
"PHOTO RELEASE: Senator Ashley Moody Hosts Town Hall in Melbourne with Defense and Aerospace Employees at L3Harris, Shares Legislative Update. MELBOURNE, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody today hosted a town hall with employees of L3Harris in Melbourne to..."
https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/photo-release-senator-ashley-moody-hosts-town-hall-in-melbourne-with-defense-and-aerospace-employees-at-l3harris-shares-legislative-update/
[2] moody.senate.gov
"Senator Ashley Moody Brings Home Major Victory for Florida’s Space Coast. MERRITT ISLAND, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody today announced her Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act has become law at an event on Florida’s Space Coast marking a major..."
https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-ashley-moody-brings-home-major-victory-for-floridas-space-coast/
[3] moody.senate.gov
"Senator Ashley Moody Introduces the Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act to Bolster Florida’s Public-Private Aerospace Partnerships, Strengthen Spaceports. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Ashley Moody introduced the Secure U.S. Leadership in..."
https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-ashley-moody-introduces-the-secure-u-s-leadership-in-space-act-to-bolster-floridas-public-private-aerospace-partnerships-strengthen-spaceports/
[4] moody.senate.gov
"Senator Ashley Moody Leads Legislation to Relocate NASA Headquarters to Florida’s Space Coast. WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Senator Ashley Moody introduced the Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently (CAPE) at Canaveral Act, or the CAPE Canaveral..."
https://www.moody.senate.gov/press-releases/senator-ashley-moody-leads-legislation-to-relocate-nasa-headquarters-to-floridas-space-coast/
[5] rickscott.senate.gov
"Sens. Rick Scott, Ashley Moody Introduce Legislation to Bring NASA HQ to Florida’s Space Coast. . WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody announced the introduction of the Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently at..."
https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2025/3/sens-rick-scott-ashley-moody-introduce-legislation-to-bring-nasa-hq-to-florida-s-space-coast