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.
NASA-related Committee Assignments or Caucuses
Member, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Overall Summary
Representative Riley's membership on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology provides a direct and significant opportunity for engagement on NASA's budget. His district also benefits substantially from NASA science investments, including Cornell University's $2.0M contract for the Caesar comet mission and over $4.3M in Earth science grants, demonstrating tangible local impact from planetary and Earth science programs. Furthermore, his co-sponsorship of bipartisan legislation supporting energy efficiency and agricultural research indicates a general appreciation for scientific research and development.
However, Representative Riley's primary legislative focus appears to be on rural economic development, agricultural support, energy affordability, and healthcare access. While his committee role and the district's NASA contracts offer a strong foundation, advocates should be prepared to clearly articulate how increased NASA science funding, particularly in Earth science or biological and physical sciences, directly aligns with and benefits these core constituent priorities to secure his robust support.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider identifying specific researchers or students at Cornell University involved in the NASA-funded planetary or Earth science projects to share personal stories of local impact and scientific discovery.
Explore how NASA's Earth science data and research, particularly on climate, water resources, or remote sensing, can directly support Representative Riley's legislative goals for agricultural resilience or energy efficiency in rural communities.
Look into how NASA science investments, including smaller contracts with companies like Grammatech or Triple Cities Metal Finishing, contribute to local job creation and economic diversification within the 19th district.
About Josh Riley
Earned a bachelor's degree in government and economics from the College of William & Mary.
Graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.
Served as a policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor.
Worked as counsel on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and as a law firm partner.
Introduced legislation on energy efficiency and agricultural science as a Representative.
Opportunities
Science Committee Membership: Representative Riley's membership on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology provides direct oversight and influence over NASA's budget and programs, indicating a foundational engagement with space policy. (Josh Riley Official Website, 2023-01)
District's Planetary Science Investment: Cornell University in Representative Riley's district received a $2.0M NASA contract for the Caesar comet astrobiology exploration sample return mission, a significant planetary science endeavor. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
District's Earth Science Investment: Cornell University in Representative Riley's district received multiple NASA grants totaling over $4.3M for Earth system research, including projects on oceans, urbanization, and volcanic ash impacts. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Bipartisan Energy Research Support: Representative Riley co-sponsored the bipartisan Federal Energy Efficiency Act of 2024 (H.R.7699), demonstrating support for scientific research and development in areas that can overlap with NASA's Earth science objectives. (Josh Riley Official Website, 2024-03)
Bipartisan Agricultural Research Support: Representative Riley co-sponsored the bipartisan Agricultural Research and Development Act of 2023 (H.R.3400), indicating a general interest in funding scientific research, which could extend to NASA's biological and physical sciences or Earth science applications. (Josh Riley Official Website, 2023-05)
Challenges
Strong Focus on Agricultural and Rural Economic Development: Representative Riley has consistently introduced and supported legislation aimed at strengthening rural cooperatives, agricultural education, and farmer support, indicating these are primary legislative priorities. (House.gov, 2025-03; House.gov, 2025-06)
Emphasis on Energy Affordability and Efficiency: A significant portion of Representative Riley's recent legislative efforts has been directed towards lowering energy costs for constituents and enhancing energy efficiency programs. (House.gov, 2025-02; WBNG, 2025-02)
Prioritization of Healthcare Access and Funding: Representative Riley has actively championed legislation and spoken out in favor of protecting and funding rural hospitals and healthcare programs. (DCCC, 2025-08; Josh Riley Watch, 2025-02)
Additional Sources
[1] cires.colorado.edu
"Josh Riley. I am a Space Weather Data Manager for NCEI's Solar & Terrestrial Physics section, helping to work on space weather satellite data. My role is primarily focused on managing large data sets, automating processing pipelines, and..."
https://cires.colorado.edu/researcher/josh-riley