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.
Representative McBath's legislative priorities primarily center on gun violence prevention, healthcare, and education, and she does not hold assignments on committees directly overseeing NASA. While her district benefits from some NASA operational contracts, these are for utility services rather than direct investments in scientific research or mission development, suggesting limited direct local economic ties to NASA's Science Mission Directorate. There is no recent public record of her explicitly advocating for specific NASA science or exploration programs.
Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for engagement. Representative McBath has emphasized the importance of data-driven scientific research, explicitly recognizes climate change science, and supports aerospace workforce development and STEM education, all of which align with NASA's broader mission. Advocates can frame increased NASA science funding as a vital investment in scientific data, climate understanding, and the STEM pipeline, connecting it to her stated values and the broader economic benefits for Georgia.
Support for Data-Driven Scientific Research: Representative McBath has publicly emphasized the importance of using "scientific research and data" to address societal challenges, such as gun violence prevention. Her advocacy for gun violence prevention research has local relevance, as she has cited incidents in Georgia prisons involving drones for smuggling contraband.
Recognition of Climate Science: Representative McBath explicitly states her belief that "the science of climate change is conclusive and indisputable" and supports investments in green infrastructure, aligning with NASA's Earth science activities. Her district, like all of Georgia, is impacted by environmental issues.
Aerospace Workforce Development: Representative McBath co-led the bipartisan Aviation Workforce Development Act to make aviation training more accessible, demonstrating support for the broader aerospace workforce pipeline. Her background as a flight attendant for Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and the presence of aerospace companies in Georgia connect this to local economic interests.
Investment in Education and STEM: Representative McBath is a strong advocate for education and workforce development, including efforts to secure federal funding for schools and technical colleges, which contributes to the STEM talent pipeline vital for NASA. She visited West Georgia Technical College in her district to highlight workforce training programs.
Local NASA Operational Support: Businesses within Representative McBath's district, such as Gas South, LLC in Atlanta, GA, hold contracts to provide essential services to NASA centers, indicating a local economic interest in the agency's continued operations. [cite: USAspending, FY2022-FY2024]