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 Elfreth's district has a substantial economic and scientific stake in NASA's science missions, with Johns Hopkins APL and USRA holding billions in contracts for planetary science, heliophysics, and Earth science. Her strong background in environmental protection aligns directly with NASA's Earth science mission, and her support for STEM education, including connections to NASA Goddard, demonstrates a commitment to the future science workforce. This robust local connection and her general posture against federal research cuts suggest a foundational receptiveness to safeguarding NASA's science budget.
While Representative Elfreth is a new member of Congress without a direct committee assignment related to space, and her legislative focus spans several important issues beyond NASA, the proposed 47% cut to NASA's Science Mission Directorate would have a significant impact on her district's economy and research institutions. Advocates have a strong opportunity to highlight how increased investment in NASA science directly benefits her constituents, strengthens critical research, and supports the environmental priorities she champions.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching specific local employees or programs at Johns Hopkins APL or USRA that directly benefit from NASA science contracts, to share compelling constituent stories about job creation and scientific advancement in her district.
Explore how NASA's Earth science missions, particularly those conducted by USRA in her district, provide critical data and research that directly support her legislative priorities in environmental protection and climate resilience for the Chesapeake Bay region.
Look into how increased investment in NASA's space science activities directly strengthens the STEM workforce pipeline, aligning with her "STEM Forward" initiative and ensuring a skilled talent pool for local institutions like NASA Goddard and Johns Hopkins University.
About Sarah Elfreth
Earned a Master of Science in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.
Served as Government Affairs Director for the National Aquarium of Baltimore.
Chaired Maryland's Joint Committee on Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bay Critical Areas.
Chaired the Chesapeake Executive Council, focusing on environmental policy.
As state senator, passed legislation on environmental protection and climate resilience.
Opportunities
Support for STEM Education and NASA Facilities: Her FY2026 Community Project Funding request for "STEM Forward" explicitly aims to connect students to earth-sciences, robotics, and engineering education, mentioning exposure to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, directly supporting the pipeline for future NASA scientists and engineers. Local connection: Howard County, MD; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
District's Significant NASA Science and Exploration Contracts: Her district hosts Johns Hopkins APL, which holds billions in NASA contracts for aerospace research, design, and development, including key planetary science (Dragonfly) and heliophysics (Solar Probe Plus) missions, demonstrating a strong local economic and scientific interest in NASA's core science activities. Local connection: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (Laurel, MD).
Advocacy for Federal Research Funding and Against Cuts: She voted against a continuing resolution that included cuts and supported a Democratic alternative that aimed to protect appropriated funds, including "lifesaving NIH research funding," indicating a general posture against federal research funding reductions. Local connection: Her district has a high density of federal employees and contractors.
Strong Environmental Policy Background and Earth Science Alignment: Her consistent record in environmental protection, including chairing the Joint Committee on Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bay Critical Areas and urging the EPA to maintain climate change findings, aligns with NASA's Earth science mission. Her district also hosts USRA, which conducts Goddard Earth Sciences Technology And Research (GESTAR). Local connection: Universities Space Research Association (Columbia, MD), Chesapeake Bay region.
Ties to Major Research Institutions and Workforce Development: Her Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University and the presence of Johns Hopkins APL and USRA in her district, which also receives NASA grants for STEM education, highlight a connection to academic research and the development of a skilled workforce vital for NASA. Local connection: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (Laurel, MD), Universities Space Research Association (Columbia, MD).
Challenges
Competing Policy Focus: Representative Elfreth's extensive background and stated priorities in environmental protection, climate resilience, gun violence, and healthcare suggest that while she has demonstrated support for local NASA Goddard missions, her primary legislative focus may be on these areas, potentially limiting proactive advocacy for the full breadth of NASA's science and exploration portfolio.
Lack of Direct Legislative Platform: Representative Elfreth has no current space-related committee assignments in the 119th Congress, which may limit her direct legislative influence on NASA's budget and policy beyond general advocacy.
New Member, Evolving Federal Stance: As a newly elected representative who took office in January 2025, her comprehensive federal posture on the full scope of NASA's Science Mission Directorate activities and exploration programs, beyond her strong support for local NASA Goddard missions, is still developing and not yet extensively articulated in public records.