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 Flood's strong fiscal conservatism and lack of direct space-related committee assignments suggest a challenging environment for advocating increased NASA space science funding. His focus on reducing federal spending and prioritizing local economic development may lead him to view broader science initiatives as less critical than other domestic issues.
However, there are significant opportunities for engagement. His district benefits from substantial NASA contracts and grants, particularly with McCallie Associates for mission systems engineering and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for Earth science, biological, and planetary protection research. His demonstrated support for federal science agencies, including the National Weather Service, and advocacy for agricultural research at land-grant universities, indicate a potential receptiveness to science funding when it directly impacts local interests or provides tangible benefits.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching the specific types of jobs and economic impact generated by McCallie Associates' significant NASA contract in Bellevue to highlight how NASA science investment directly supports his district's economy.
Explore how NASA-funded Earth science research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, particularly in areas like drought monitoring and precision agriculture, directly benefits Nebraska's agricultural sector and aligns with his support for federal science agencies.
Look into the innovative research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in space biology and planetary protection, framing these NASA investments as critical for advancing scientific frontiers and fostering cutting-edge capabilities within his district.
About Mike Flood
Earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame.
Received a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
Practiced as an attorney and founded Flood Communications, a media company.
Owns 15 radio stations and seven television stations across Nebraska.
Previously served two terms in the Nebraska Legislature, including as Speaker.
Opportunities
Local NASA Mission Support: Representative Flood's district benefits from a significant NASA contract with McCallie Associates, Inc. in Bellevue, NE, for mission systems engineering, payload and instrument services, and Guidance, Navigation, and Control systems, which are critical for various NASA science and exploration missions. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
University of Nebraska Earth Science Research: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln in his district has received multiple NASA grants for Earth science activities, including satellite-based precision evapotranspiration and hydrological drought monitoring, directly connecting local research to NASA's scientific objectives. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
University of Nebraska Space Biology/Planetary Protection Research: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln also holds NASA grants for research on rapid sterilization of spacecraft hardware and testing bacterial strains from spacecraft surfaces, directly supporting NASA's biological and physical sciences and planetary protection efforts. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Advocacy for Agricultural Research: Representative Flood has demonstrated support for federal research funding by requesting Community Project Funding for the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and leading a bipartisan letter emphasizing agricultural research at land-grant universities. (Congressman Mike Flood - House.gov, 2023-03-23; Congressman Mike Flood Press Release, 2025-05-29)
Support for Federal Science Agencies: He successfully advocated for the restoration of weather balloon launches and additional resources for the National Weather Service office in Valley, NE, highlighting the importance of federal science agencies for public safety and data collection. (KETV, 2025-04-24)
Challenges
Strong Fiscal Conservatism: Representative Flood has consistently advocated for reducing government spending and reining in federal debt, voting for measures like the "Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023" and criticizing increased spending in budget plans, which indicates a general posture of fiscal restraint that could impact appropriations for NASA.
Opposition to Climate-Related Initiatives: Flood has publicly opposed "Green New Deal" policies and the SEC's "Climate Rule," and introduced legislation to remove funding from "environmental and climate justice challenges," suggesting potential resistance to NASA's Earth science activities related to climate change research.
Focus on Competing Domestic Priorities and Local Economic Development: Public statements and community project funding requests highlight a strong emphasis on issues such as agriculture, energy security, housing, and local infrastructure, which may lead to prioritization of these areas over broader space science and exploration initiatives.
Lack of Direct Space-Related Committee Assignments: Representative Flood does not hold any current committee assignments directly related to space or science in the 119th Congress, which may limit his direct engagement and influence on NASA policy and funding decisions.