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 McCollum's position on the House Appropriations Committee offers a pathway for influence, but her absence from the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee, which directly oversees NASA's budget, means she doesn't hold direct line-item authority over space science funding. While her district benefits from NASA-related high-end computing research and STEM outreach, there's no public record of her explicitly advocating for increased funding for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, and the direct economic ties to science mission development are limited. Her past opposition to broader spending packages also suggests a cautious approach to federal outlays.
Despite these challenges, there are clear opportunities for engagement. Her strong commitment to environmental protection and clean energy aligns well with NASA's Earth Science mission, offering a compelling angle for advocacy. Furthermore, her emphasis on STEM workforce development and future investment, coupled with local grants supporting girls in NASA careers, indicates a receptiveness to programs that build the scientific and engineering pipeline essential for space science. Advocates can highlight how increased investment in NASA science directly supports her stated priorities and contributes to long-term national benefit and local STEM engagement.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching specific examples of how NASA's science missions and discoveries inspire students in Minnesota's 4th district, building on the success of programs like "NASA women inspire girls to NASA careers" and aligning with her advocacy for STEM workforce development.
Explore how NASA's Earth Science missions provide critical data and insights relevant to Minnesota's environmental priorities, such as protecting clean air and water or understanding climate impacts, which aligns with her stated policy interests.
Look into how NASA's broader investments in science and technology, including high-performance computing, contribute to innovation and economic opportunity within her district or state, connecting to local entities like Hyperion Research Holdings.
About Betty McCollum
Graduated from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul (1976).
Worked as a high school social sciences teacher.
Served as a sales manager.
Previously served eight years as a Minnesota state representative.
Supports policies promoting cleaner, non-carbon-based energy sources.
Opportunities
Key Appropriations Committee Member: As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Representative McCollum holds a position of direct influence over federal spending decisions, including NASA's budget for science activities and exploration programs. (House.gov, 2025)
STEM Workforce Advocacy: Representative McCollum emphasized the importance of educating and training future mathematicians, physicists, aeronautical engineers, and computer scientists for national security and technological superiority in air and space, which directly supports the pipeline for NASA's scientific and engineering workforce. Twin Cities Public Television Inc. in Saint Paul, MN, received a NASA grant for "NASA women inspire girls to NASA careers," directly supporting STEM outreach in her district. (House Committee on Appropriations, 2024), (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Commitment to Future Investment: Her stated commitment to "crafting a federal budget that fosters economic opportunity, invests in the future, and upholds fiscal responsibility" suggests a general openness to funding initiatives like space science that contribute to long-term national benefit. This broad stance supports federal funding for research and development that can benefit Minnesota's technology and research sectors. (House.gov, 2025)
Local High-End Computing Research: A local company, Hyperion Research Holdings, LLC, in Saint Paul, MN, received a NASA contract for "Assessment of state of the art (HEC) technologies," indicating a direct connection between her district and advanced computing relevant to space science. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Environmental Policy Alignment: Representative McCollum's biography indicates support for policies promoting cleaner, non-carbon-based energy sources, and her official website highlights her prioritization of protecting clean air and water, aligning with the objectives of NASA's Earth Science mission. Her focus on environmental protection benefits Minnesota's natural resources and aligns with local scientific efforts to understand and mitigate environmental challenges. (), (House.gov, 2025)
Challenges
Competing Priorities: Representative McCollum's public record emphasizes a broad range of priorities including defense, environment, education, healthcare, and social justice, which may compete for her attention and appropriations efforts. (House.gov, 2025-09)
Lack of Direct CJS Subcommittee Role: While a member of the House Appropriations Committee, she is not listed as a member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee, which directly oversees NASA's budget. (AIP.ORG, 2025-02; Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, 2025-09)
No Recent Explicit Advocacy for Increased NASA Science Funding: No public record found from the last 24 months explicitly shows Representative McCollum advocating for increased funding specifically for NASA's Science Mission Directorate or exploration programs.
Limited Direct NASA Science Economic Ties: NASA-related contracts in her district are primarily for high-performance computing assessment and STEM education outreach, rather than direct science mission development or research, potentially limiting a strong local economic incentive for specific science directorate funding. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Opposition to General Spending Packages: Her "Nay" vote on the "Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026" on September 19, 2025, indicates a willingness to oppose broader spending bills, which could indirectly affect NASA's budget if specific science funding is part of such packages. (Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, 2025-09)
Additional Sources
[1] mccollum.house.gov
"McCollum Community Projects Totaling $2.9 Million For Public Safety Included in Funding Bill. July 15, 2021. The House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill and report today,..."
https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-community-projects-totaling-29-million-public-safety-included-funding