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 Davids's record suggests a general receptiveness to federal investment in science and technology, evidenced by her votes for the America COMPETES Act and the FY2024 NASA appropriations. Her district also benefits from significant NASA-related economic activity, including a substantial contract for construction and maintenance services, and specific grants to the University of Kansas Medical Center for space health research, which directly aligns with NASA's biological and physical sciences. However, her lack of a direct committee assignment related to space policy and a broad legislative focus on other issues might limit her immediate engagement on specific NASA science budget details.
While the largest NASA contract in her district is for operational support rather than core science missions like astrophysics or planetary science, the University of Kansas Medical Center's space health grants offer a direct, tangible connection to NASA's scientific endeavors. Advocates should emphasize these local science ties and frame increased NASA science funding as a continuation of her demonstrated support for STEM, innovation, and research, particularly in light of proposed future budget cuts to the Science Mission Directorate. Her general pro-science stance suggests potential for guarded optimism, but specific, locally relevant arguments will be crucial.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider highlighting the specific NASA-funded research on female reproductive health at the University of Kansas Medical Center, connecting it to local innovation, healthcare advancements, and the importance of continued investment in space biology.
Explore how increased investment in NASA's space science activities directly contributes to STEM workforce development, fosters innovation in Kansas, and strengthens the nation's economic competitiveness, aligning with her past legislative support for science and technology.
Look into how the significant NASA contract held by Firelake-Arrowhead NASA Services in her district is part of a larger ecosystem that relies on a robust NASA science mission, emphasizing how science funding underpins the agency's overall operational needs and local economic impact.
About Sharice Davids
Earned a J.D. from Cornell Law School and a B.A. in business administration.
Served as a White House Fellow in the Department of Transportation.
Worked as an attorney and in community and economic development.
Mother and grandfather served in the U.S. Army.
Supported America COMPETES Act, authorizing scientific research funding.
Opportunities
Support for Science Funding Legislation: Representative Davids voted in favor of the America COMPETES Act of 2022, a significant legislative package authorizing federal investment in scientific research and innovation.
Local Space Health Research: The University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute, Inc. in her district received over $1 million in NASA grants for research on female reproductive health in space, directly supporting NASA's biological and physical sciences and human exploration objectives. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Vote for NASA Appropriations: Representative Davids voted "Yea" on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 4366), which included $24.875 billion for NASA, encompassing funding for science and exploration programs.
District's NASA Infrastructure Support: Firelake-Arrowhead NASA Services in Lenexa, KS, holds a $50.9 million NASA contract for construction, maintenance, environmental, and testing services, demonstrating a significant local economic connection to NASA's operational capabilities. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Advocacy for STEM and Innovation: Her legislative record, including support for the CHIPS and Science Act (which stemmed from the America COMPETES Act negotiations), and announcements of federal grants for local STEM career training programs, indicates a general posture supportive of scientific and technological advancement and workforce development.
Challenges
No Direct Space Committee Role: Representative Davids does not hold any current space-related committee assignments in the 119th Congress, which may limit her direct influence on NASA's budget and policy decisions for science and exploration.
Broad Legislative Focus: Representative Davids' public statements and legislative activities frequently highlight infrastructure, economic development, and healthcare, indicating a broad range of priorities that may compete for her attention and advocacy efforts regarding NASA science.
Nature of District NASA Economic Ties: While her district benefits from a significant NASA contract for construction and maintenance services, this economic tie is not directly aligned with the core science mission directorate activities (astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, Earth science), potentially limiting specific advocacy for these areas. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Additional Sources
[1] davids.house.gov
"Davids, Moran taking part in U.S. supply-chain, domestic manufacturing reform negotiations. May 13, 2022. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids offered input Thursday into development of a compromise bill designed to improve domestic..."
https://davids.house.gov/media/in-the-news/davids-moran-taking-part-us-supply-chain-domestic-manufacturing-reform