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 Gottheimer's lack of direct committee assignments related to space and his consistent emphasis on fiscal conservatism and cost-cutting suggest he may be initially skeptical of calls for increased discretionary spending on NASA science. His public statements frequently prioritize local infrastructure, public safety, and broader economic development, indicating these may be higher legislative priorities than specific NASA science programs.
However, there are clear opportunities for engagement. The Representative is a strong advocate for federal R&D investment and STEM education, recognizing their importance for workforce development and economic competitiveness. He has also championed innovation and technology, including supporting the CHIPS and Science Act. Furthermore, companies in his district have received NASA contracts for scientific instruments, providing a direct local economic tie to NASA's technical needs. Framing increased NASA science funding as an investment in R&D, STEM, and U.S. innovation could resonate with his established priorities.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching the specific local companies in his district that have received NASA science contracts, and be prepared to articulate how these awards translate into local jobs, technological innovation, and economic growth within NJ-05.
Explore how increased NASA science investment directly supports STEM education and workforce development in New Jersey, aligning with his past legislative efforts to expand STEM opportunities and attract federal R&D funding to state universities.
Look into framing NASA's space science activities as a bipartisan investment in American innovation, global competitiveness, and fundamental research, highlighting how it aligns with his support for the CHIPS and Science Act and his role in fostering cross-party solutions.
About Josh Gottheimer
Graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School.
Served as a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton.
Led broadband internet initiatives at the Federal Communications Commission.
Worked as a strategist at Microsoft and for Ford Motor Company.
Authored and edited books on American civil rights and presidential speeches.
Opportunities
Support for Federal R&D Investment: Representative Gottheimer advocates for state universities to attract federal research and development (R&D) funding to revitalize New Jersey's technology and innovation ecosystem. (ROI-NJ, 2025-05-23)
Advocacy for STEM Education: He recently supported a bipartisan defense bill that included his legislation to expand STEM education, recognizing its importance for the workforce and economic competitiveness. (NJ Spotlight News, 2025-09-19)
Promotion of Innovation and Technology: Gottheimer co-led the bipartisan "Unleashing AI Innovation in Financial Services Act" to ensure the U.S. leads in innovation and has also supported the CHIPS and Science Act, which invests in American competitiveness. (Gottheimer Press Release, 2025-07-30; WRNJ Radio, 2024-10-11)
Local Economic Benefit from NASA Contracts: Several companies in his district, including Spectro Analytical Instruments, Inc. in Mahwah and KDF Technologies LLC in Rockleigh, have received NASA contracts for scientific instruments and systems, demonstrating direct local economic ties to NASA's technical needs. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Bipartisan Collaboration on Technology Policy: As co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, he has a demonstrated history of working across the aisle on technology-related legislation, such as the recent bipartisan bill to ban the DeepSeek AI app from federal devices. (A Few Minutes with… Rep. Josh Gottheimer, 2023-02-07; PBS News, 2025-02-06)
Challenges
Lack of Committee Assignment: Representative Gottheimer holds no current space-related committee assignments in the 119th Congress, which may limit his direct engagement or influence on NASA's space science activities.
Fiscal Conservatism Focus: Representative Gottheimer consistently emphasizes fiscal responsibility and efforts to cut costs and lower taxes, which could lead to scrutiny of discretionary spending increases for NASA science.
Competing Legislative Priorities: His public statements frequently highlight efforts related to local infrastructure, public safety, and economic development, suggesting these may be higher legislative priorities than increasing NASA science funding.
Absence of Explicit NASA Science Stance: No recent public records explicitly indicate Representative Gottheimer's specific stance on NASA's Science Mission Directorate activities or exploration programs.