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 Goodlander's legislative priorities, particularly her focus on national security and small business through her committee assignments, suggest she may have many competing demands for federal funding. Her public emphasis on fiscal responsibility could also lead to caution regarding increased discretionary spending, especially when considering a significant proposed cut to NASA's science budget.
However, her district has a direct economic stake in NASA's science activities, with over $16.5 million in contracts and grants supporting local businesses like Creare LLC and scientific research at Dartmouth College in areas like heliophysics and Earth science. These local contributions, including projects aligned with environmental protection, offer concrete opportunities to demonstrate how robust investment in NASA science directly benefits her constituents and aligns with her broader interests.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider highlighting how NASA science investments directly benefit local small businesses, such as Creare LLC, by providing contracts that create jobs and foster technological innovation within her district, aligning with her Small Business Committee role.
Explore how NASA's space science activities, particularly in Earth observation and space weather, contribute to national security and strategic intelligence, drawing connections to her extensive background in the U.S. Navy Reserve and foreign policy advising.
Look into connecting NASA's Earth science initiatives, such as the lake water quality research at Dartmouth College, to Representative Goodlander's public commitment to environmental protection and local resource management, showcasing tangible benefits for her constituents.
About Maggie Goodlander
Served 11 years as a U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer, reaching the rank of lieutenant.
Experienced lawyer, clerking for Chief Judge Merrick Garland and Justice Stephen Breyer.
Held senior roles at the Department of Justice and as a White House advisor.
Previously advised Senators Joe Lieberman and John McCain on foreign policy.
Opportunities
Local Economic Benefit from NASA Contracts: Representative Goodlander's district benefits from significant NASA contracts awarded to local businesses for advanced technology development, indicating a direct economic stake in NASA's activities. Local connection: Creare LLC in Hanover, NH, received over $7.7 million in NASA contracts for wide-range pump technology, likely supporting space missions (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024).
District's Contribution to NASA Science: Institutions in her district are actively engaged in NASA's scientific research, demonstrating local expertise and contributions to national space science goals. Local connection: Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, received over $10 million in NASA grants for heliophysics and Earth science research, including projects like the Auroral Reconstruction Cubeswarm (ARCS) and studies on Earth's magnetotail and aurora (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024).
Alignment with Earth Science and Environmental Interests: A NASA-funded project in her district directly addresses Earth science objectives related to environmental monitoring, which aligns with her public commitment to environmental protection. Local connection: Dartmouth College received a NASA grant for research on lake water quality using satellite and sub-orbital remote sensing, contributing to NASA's goals for managing freshwater resources (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024). Her public profile emphasizes advancing environmental justice and protecting public lands (League of Conservation Voters, 2024).
Challenges
Competing Priorities Focus: Representative Goodlander's stated legislative priorities and committee assignments, including Armed Services and Small Business, indicate a focus on national security, economic issues, and local business, which may lead to competing demands for federal funding against increased NASA science investment.
Fiscal Responsibility Stance: Representative Goodlander has publicly emphasized a commitment to fiscal responsibility, which could translate into a cautious approach regarding growth in discretionary spending, potentially impacting proposals for increased NASA science funding.