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.
Representative Daniel S. Goldman's lack of a direct committee assignment overseeing NASA and his primary legislative focus on non-space issues suggest that advocating for increased NASA space science funding may not be an immediate priority for his office. While he has supported federal research funding generally and specifically for renewable energy, his public record does not extensively feature broad advocacy for NASA's diverse science portfolio beyond climate-related areas.
Nevertheless, significant local ties offer strong advocacy potential. His district directly benefits from substantial NASA Science Mission Directorate grants to New York University for astrophysics and Earth science research, alongside contracts with Odyssey Space, LLC for mission development. These local impacts, combined with his demonstrated support for "cutting-edge research" and federal funding for science, provide a compelling basis to discuss how a proposed 47% cut to NASA's science budget would directly threaten local academic institutions, jobs, and U.S. scientific leadership in critical areas like Earth science and astrophysics.
Support for Federal Research Funding: Representative Goldman led a bipartisan letter urging the National Institutes of Health to reverse grant cuts, emphasizing the importance of federal funding for "lifesaving medical research" and "cutting-edge research" to maintain U.S. scientific leadership. This action directly impacts New York, which is a leading recipient of NIH funding.
Advocacy for Renewable Energy Research: Representative Goldman introduced an amendment to the FY26 Energy and Water Appropriations bill to reallocate $93 million from fossil fuel research to renewable energy research, demonstrating a commitment to increasing investment in scientific areas related to climate and environmental science. This aligns with broader goals for New York's clean energy transition.
Local NASA Astrophysics and Earth Science Grants: New York University, located in Representative Goldman's district, received significant NASA Science Mission Directorate grants totaling over $2.7 million for astrophysics and Earth science research, indicating a direct local academic and research interest in NASA's scientific portfolio. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Local Space Industry Engagement: Odyssey Space, LLC, a company within Representative Goldman's district, was awarded a NASA contract for the development and delivery of mission design and instrument systems, directly supporting space science missions and fostering local industry involvement in the space sector. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
General Support for STEM Education: Representative Goldman has been associated with discussions on "STEM in Action" and advocates for increased federal funding for education, including higher education, which is foundational for developing the scientific and engineering workforce necessary for NASA's missions.