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 Cortez Masto has demonstrated a commitment to science and research, securing federal funding for Nevada universities and supporting climate science initiatives that align with NASA's Earth Science goals. The substantial NASA contracts and grants in Nevada, totaling over $8.8 million in recent years and supporting space science, Earth science, and exploration logistics, provide a strong local economic and research connection that could make her receptive to NASA's mission.
However, her lack of direct committee assignments related to space policy and a broad legislative agenda may limit her direct influence on NASA's budget. While she champions science and equitable research distribution, there is no explicit public record of her advocating for substantial increases in NASA's overall science budget. Advocates should emphasize how the proposed 47% cut to NASA science would directly impact Nevada's research institutions and contract base, potentially threatening existing jobs and scientific advancements in the state.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching the specific economic impact and job creation associated with NASA contracts and grants in Nevada, particularly those with Trax International in Las Vegas and the Nevada System of Higher Education, to highlight the direct local benefits of NASA science investment.
Explore how NASA's Earth Science missions and data directly support Nevada's environmental monitoring, water resource management, and climate assessment efforts, aligning with Senator Cortez Masto's stated priorities on climate change and renewable energy.
Look into specific NASA science grants received by the University of Nevada, Reno, and the Nevada System of Higher Education, and be prepared to discuss how these investments bolster Nevada's research capacity and contribute to the equitable distribution of federal science funding, a known interest of the Senator.
About Catherine Cortez Masto
Earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and a Juris Doctor degree.
Worked as a civil attorney and a criminal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Served as Nevada's Attorney General from 2007 to 2015.
Supports increased investment in renewable energy and solar power.
Local NASA Investment: Nevada-based entities, including Trax International Corporation and the Nevada System of Higher Education, receive substantial NASA contracts and grants supporting Earth science, space science, and exploration missions, demonstrating a direct economic and research connection to NASA's science activities within the state. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Advocacy for University Research Funding: Senator Cortez Masto has actively secured over $4 million in federal funding for research programs at the University of Nevada, Reno, to advance scientific education, environmental monitoring, and research capacity, directly benefiting science infrastructure in Nevada. (Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, 2024-04)
Support for Climate Science Initiatives: Her office has submitted community project requests for a Climate Assessment for Nevada and a Multi-Angle Spectrometer project to study urban heat and water resources, aligning with NASA's Earth Science Directorate's goals for understanding climate and environmental changes. (Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, FY2024, FY2025)
Bipartisan Science and Technology Leadership: Senator Cortez Masto co-introduced bipartisan legislation, the National Science, Innovation, and Technology Strategy Act, to ensure U.S. global leadership in science and technology, indicating a commitment to national science policy that could encompass NASA's scientific endeavors. (Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, 2023-03)
Promotion of STEM Workforce Development: She has championed legislation to promote STEM education and careers, particularly for women and underrepresented groups, which fosters the talent pipeline essential for NASA's future scientific and engineering workforce. (Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, 2023-03)
Challenges
Lack of Direct Committee Influence: Senator Cortez Masto does not hold any current space-related committee assignments in the 119th Congress, which may limit her direct legislative influence on NASA's budget and policy decisions.
Broad Competing Priorities: Her recent vote against a government funding resolution due to concerns over healthcare tax credits and her office's focus on diverse issues like national security and tribal community development indicate a wide range of legislative priorities. (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2025-09-19; Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, 2025-09-19, 2025-09-19)
Focus on Equitable Research Distribution: While supportive of science, her past legislative efforts, such as leading provisions in the CHIPS and Science Law to boost funding for states with smaller populations, suggest a focus on the distribution of federal research dollars rather than solely advocating for overall budget growth. (U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Press Release, 2022-07-27)
General Support for Research vs. Specific NASA Growth: Her public statements and actions, including securing funding for research programs at the University of Nevada, Reno, and supporting cancer research, demonstrate a general commitment to science and research, but do not explicitly advocate for significant increases in NASA's overall science or exploration budget. (U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Press Release, 2024-04-02; Nevada Current, 2025-09-17)
No Explicit Call for NASA Science Growth: No public record found in the last 24 months explicitly shows Senator Cortez Masto advocating for a substantial increase in NASA's overall Science Mission Directorate or exploration budget, beyond general support for research and specific projects benefiting Nevada.
Additional Sources
[1] cortezmasto.senate.gov
"On Behalf of Indigenous Students, Cortez Masto Asks First Native American Woman in Space About Trailblazing Career During Live Video Call from Intl. Space Station. Wednesday February 8th, 2023. On Behalf of Indigenous Students, Cortez Masto Asks..."
https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/on-behalf-of-indigenous-students-cortez-masto-asks-first-native-american-woman-in-space-about-trailblazing-career-during-live-video-call-from-intl-space-station/
[2] dscc.org
"DSCC Congratulates Senator-Elect Mark Kelly on Victory in Arizona. November 4, 2020. DSCC Congratulates Senator-Elect Mark Kelly on Victory in Arizona. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, issued..."
https://www.dscc.org/news/dscc-congratulates-senator-elect-mark-kelly-on-victory-in-arizona/