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, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Member, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Aviation, Space, and Innovation Subcommittee
Overall Summary
Senator Budd's consistent fiscal conservatism and focus on reducing national debt present a significant challenge to advocating for increased federal appropriations for NASA science. His skepticism regarding climate policy could also make him cautious about Earth science activities, and his emphasis on national security and private sector innovation might prioritize other space sectors over government-led pure science initiatives.
However, his membership on the Senate Aviation, Space, and Innovation Subcommittee offers a direct platform for engagement. North Carolina institutions have received substantial NASA science grants, including for astrophysics research at Duke University and Earth science projects at Research Triangle Institute and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, demonstrating direct local economic and research benefits. The commercial smallsat data acquisition contract for Satellogic Federal in Davidson further highlights local industry involvement in NASA's science enterprise.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching the specific economic impact, including job creation or private sector partnerships, generated by NASA science grants and contracts at North Carolina institutions like Duke University, Research Triangle Institute, and Satellogic Federal, to align with his business background and emphasis on private sector innovation.
Explore how NASA's space science activities, particularly Earth observation and atmospheric research, can contribute to national security interests or enhance space domain awareness, building on his co-sponsorship of the SOAR Act.
Look into the community engagement aspects of NASA science grants in North Carolina, such as the citizen science initiatives at Research Triangle Institute and UNC Chapel Hill, to highlight local participation and efficient use of federal investment.
About Ted Budd
Holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA.
Businessman; owns a gun store in Rural Hall, North Carolina.
Introduced SOAR Act to track high-altitude balloons, co-sponsored by Sen. Mark Kelly.
Served as a U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 13th district (2017-2023).
Opportunities
Senate Space Subcommittee Role: Senator Budd's membership on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and its Aviation, Space, and Innovation Subcommittee, provides him a direct platform to engage with and influence NASA's budget and policy, including its science activities. (Provided Committee Data)
Local Astrophysics Research Funding: Duke University in Durham, NC, received a $6.1 million NASA grant for a Roman Project infrastructure team, supporting cosmological measurements, which directly benefits NASA's astrophysics mission and local research institutions. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Local Earth Science Research Investment: North Carolina institutions, including Research Triangle Institute and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, secured over $3.2 million in NASA grants for Earth science research, such as monitoring air quality and validating satellite altimetry, demonstrating direct state benefit from NASA science. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition Contract: Satellogic Federal, LLC in Davidson, NC, was awarded a $1.6 million contract for NASA's Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program, providing commercial Earth observation data for scientific research and supporting local industry. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Bipartisan Space Domain Awareness Interest: Senator Budd co-sponsored the SOAR Act to improve tracking of high-altitude balloons, indicating an interest in space domain awareness with potential applications for atmospheric or Earth science, and demonstrating a willingness for bipartisan collaboration on space-related issues with Senator Mark Kelly. (WCNC, 2023-03; Biography)
Challenges
Fiscal Conservatism: Senator Budd consistently advocates for controlling government spending and reducing national debt, which may lead to resistance against increased federal appropriations for NASA science. (U.S. Senator Ted Budd, 2025-03-14)
Skepticism of Climate Policy: Senator Budd has expressed concerns about "radical environmental policies" and opposed legislation addressing climate change, which may indicate a cautious stance toward NASA's Earth science activities. (U.S. Senator Ted Budd, 2023-11-20)
Focus on National Security and Military: A significant portion of Senator Budd's legislative focus and congressionally directed spending requests are on military construction and national security, potentially competing for attention or resources with pure space science missions. (U.S. Senator Ted Budd, 2025)
Emphasis on Private Sector-Led Innovation: As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Budd has emphasized a "free market and private-sector approach" for technological innovation, which might favor commercial space development over government-led science initiatives. (Space Foundation, 2025-09-10)
Broad Legislative Agenda: Senator Budd's public record demonstrates engagement across a wide array of issues, including agriculture, cybersecurity, and foreign relations, suggesting that NASA science may not consistently be a top legislative priority. (U.S. Senator Ted Budd, 2025-09-18)