Senator Thomas Tillis (R-NC)

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

Senator Tillis's background in technology and consulting, coupled with his strong advocacy for innovation, patent reform, and federal research funding, suggests a foundational understanding of the value of scientific investment. His support for North Carolina's R&D ecosystem and STEM education, which includes institutions receiving NASA science grants, indicates potential receptivity to arguments linking NASA science to state economic and workforce benefits.

However, his lack of direct space policy committee assignments and recent emphasis on NIH funding for biomedical research highlight competing priorities. The significant proposed FY2026 NASA science budget cut and the prevalence of non-science related NASA contracts in North Carolina mean advocates must clearly articulate the direct benefits and national importance of NASA's science mission directorate to secure his support.

Preparation Recommendations

• Explore how specific NASA science missions and research initiatives foster technological innovation and intellectual property development, aligning with Senator Tillis's focus on strengthening patent rights and protecting American economic leadership in emerging technologies.
• Look into the specific NASA science grants received by North Carolina institutions, such as Duke University, Research Triangle Institute, and Southwestern Community College, and be prepared to highlight how these investments directly contribute to the state's R&D ecosystem and workforce development, aligning with his support for federal research funding and STEM education.
• Consider how NASA's space science activities contribute to national leadership in science and technology, providing tangible benefits and economic returns that align with Senator Tillis's interest in robust, accountable federal research funding that avoids "ideological or unaccountable programs."

About Thomas Tillis

• Earned a Bachelor of Science in technology management.
• Early career involved computerizing records and working for Wang Laboratories.
• Worked in consulting for Price Waterhouse, becoming a partner.
• Served as a consultant for IBM after acquisition.
• Chaired Senate Judiciary's intellectual property panel, addressing technology and copyright.

Opportunities

• Support for Innovation through Patent Reform: Senator Tillis has actively championed bipartisan legislation, the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA), in May and June 2025, to strengthen patent rights for inventions in fields like biotechnology and artificial intelligence, asserting its importance for U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. His background in technology management and consulting suggests an understanding of the innovation ecosystem that benefits North Carolina's research institutions and tech companies. (Tillis.senate.gov, 2025-06; Tillis.senate.gov, 2025-05)

• Advocacy for Federal Research Funding: In July 2025, Senator Tillis co-signed a bipartisan letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) urging the timely disbursement of appropriated funds for National Institutes of Health (NIH) research, emphasizing its impact on American jobs, biomedical innovation, and national leadership in science. North Carolina institutions like Duke University and Research Triangle Institute receive significant federal research grants, including for science-related activities. (Public Radio East, 2025-07; Tillis.senate.gov, 2025-07; USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)

• Recognition of North Carolina's R&D Ecosystem: A July 2025 letter from the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation to the NC Congressional Delegation, including Senator Tillis, highlighted that federal investments in R&D have transformed North Carolina into a leader in innovation and business, with academic R&D significantly above the U.S. average. The letter specifically mentioned Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Institute, which are recipients of NASA science grants, as being impacted by federal funding changes. (North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, 2025-07; USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)

• Support for STEM Education and Workforce Development: Senator Tillis's official website indicates his support for strengthening career and technical education and expanding college opportunities, including for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in STEM fields, to prepare a skilled workforce for the 21st-century economy. North Carolina has numerous universities and community colleges, including Southwestern Community College, that benefit from investments in STEM education and workforce training. (Tillis.senate.gov, 2025; USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)

• Focus on Protecting American Innovation: Senator Tillis chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in May 2025 on "Foreign Threats to American Innovation and Economic Leadership," where he emphasized the need for strong intellectual property rights to drive investment and maintain U.S. leadership in emerging technologies like AI. North Carolina's growing high-tech industries and research institutions contribute to the national innovation ecosystem that Tillis seeks to protect. (YouTube, 2025-05; North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, 2025-07)

Challenges

• Lack of Direct Space Policy Role: Senator Tillis holds no current committee assignments directly related to space policy in the 119th Congress, which may limit his direct engagement or prioritization of NASA's space science activities.
• Competing Science Funding Priorities: Senator Tillis recently co-signed a letter advocating for the full disbursement of appropriated funds to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), emphasizing critical research areas like cancer and cardiovascular disease, which indicates a strong focus on biomedical science funding.
• Fiscal Scrutiny and Program Justification: In advocating for NIH funding, Senator Tillis and colleagues expressed concern that funds should not be "diverted to ideological or unaccountable programs," suggesting a general stance favoring strict accountability and clear national interest in federal research spending.
• Significant Non-Science Related Contracts: While North Carolina receives NASA funding, the largest contract in the state is for protective services at Johnson Space Center, indicating a substantial portion of NASA's economic impact in the state is not directly tied to science mission development. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
• Broader Budgetary Pressure on NASA Science: The White House's proposed FY2026 budget included a significant cut to NASA's science budget, reflecting a political environment where NASA science funding may face pressure, even if Senate appropriators have indicated intent to restore some of these cuts.