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.
NASA-related Committee Assignments or Caucuses
Member, House Committee on Appropriations
Overall Summary
Representative Underwood's strong focus on healthcare and climate change, with an emphasis on public health and economic impacts, suggests that space science may not be a top-tier priority for her. Her public record shows limited explicit advocacy for NASA's science missions, despite local NASA-funded research.
However, there are significant opportunities for engagement. Her district's Northern Illinois University has received substantial NASA grants for planetary science and astrobiology, indicating local interest and investment. Critically, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, she has actively opposed cuts to NASA and NSF STEM education programs, specifically citing the impact on institutions like NIU. This, combined with her general support for university research and promotion of NASA-related STEM education, suggests she could be receptive to arguments linking increased NASA science funding to local economic benefits, educational opportunities, and scientific advancement.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching the specific NASA science grants awarded to Northern Illinois University, preparing to discuss the local impact of this research and how it aligns with the Representative's support for university endeavors and STEM education.
Explore how increased investment in NASA's space science activities can drive technological innovation and workforce development, potentially highlighting spin-off technologies or scientific advancements that have broader societal benefits, including those relevant to public health or economic growth.
Look into how NASA's space science missions inspire the next generation of STEM professionals and contribute to a diverse scientific workforce, connecting this to the Representative's stated interest in STEM education and resources for K-12 students.
About Lauren Underwood
Registered nurse with BSN from Michigan, MSN/MPH from Johns Hopkins.
Served as senior advisor at Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Worked as a policy professional in the Obama administration.
Former senior director of strategy for healthcare organization Next Level Health.
Opportunities
Local NASA Science Investment: Northern Illinois University in Representative Underwood's district received two NASA grants for planetary science and astrobiology research, indicating local engagement with NASA's Science Mission Directorate. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Opposition to NASA STEM Funding Cuts: As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Representative Underwood explicitly opposed cuts to STEM education programs at NASA and the National Science Foundation during the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce Appropriations Bill markup, noting the negative impact on institutions like Northern Illinois University in her district. (YouTube, 2025-09)
Support for University Research: Representative Underwood has publicly announced securing federal funding for university research in her district, demonstrating a general commitment to supporting academic scientific endeavors. (Underwood.house.gov, 2024-08)
Promotion of NASA-related STEM Education: Her official website provides K-12 resources, including STEM activities and information about women of NASA, indicating an interest in fostering future engagement with space science among her constituents. (Underwood.house.gov, 2025-09)
Inclusion of NASA in Community Project Funding: Representative Underwood's office guidance on Community Project Funding lists NASA Safety, Security, and Mission Services as a potential source for projects focusing on science, education, research, and technology development, suggesting an avenue for local NASA-related initiatives. (Underwood.house.gov, 2025-09)
Challenges
Strong Focus on Healthcare: Representative Underwood's legislative and public priorities are consistently centered on healthcare, including affordability, maternal health, and mental health, which may limit her capacity for dedicated advocacy on other issues like space science.
Climate Change Advocacy Focused on Public Health and Economy: While a strong proponent of climate action, her public statements emphasize the public health and economic impacts of climate change and related agencies like the CDC, rather than explicitly highlighting NASA's Earth science missions or broader space science contributions.
Limited Explicit Public Advocacy for NASA Space Science: Despite NASA-funded research in her district, her recent public record does not frequently feature explicit statements or legislative efforts specifically championing NASA's astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, or biological and physical sciences, or exploration programs. [cite: USAspending, FY2022-FY2024]
Additional Sources
[1] underwood.house.gov
"K-12 Parent & Teacher Resources from Rep. Lauren Underwood. Resources: Family Engagement: National PTA Family Engagement & Resources Create a Representative SEL Team to Lead ImplementationBuilding Success at Home Childcare:..."
https://underwood.house.gov/students/k-12-parent-teacher-resources-rep-lauren-underwood