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 Bonamici appears receptive to NASA's Earth science activities, evidenced by her co-sponsorship of the ASCEND Act and engagement with NASA Administrator Nelson on climate research and the PACE satellite. Her district also benefits from NASA grants for climate analysis and astrobiology research at Portland State University, suggesting a local connection to scientific endeavors.
However, advocates should note that while she supports federal science agencies, her public record does not consistently feature explicit calls for significant increases in NASA's overall science budget, focusing more on maintaining robust funding. Her primary legislative priorities also lean towards education, healthcare, and climate change, indicating that space science, while valued, may not be a top-tier focus compared to other issues.
Advocacy for NASA Earth Science Data: Representative Bonamici co-sponsored and saw the House pass the bipartisan Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries (ASCEND) Act (H.R. 6219), which permanently authorizes NASA's Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition program within the Earth Science Division, ensuring continued access to commercial Earth remote sensing data for scientific research. This directly benefits researchers, including those at Portland State University in her district who received a NASA grant for climate analysis. (House.gov, 2024-09; USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Engagement on NASA's Earth Science Budget and Strategy: During a May 2024 House Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing, Representative Bonamici questioned NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on NASA's climate and Earth science research, expressing excitement for the PACE satellite and concern regarding the potential impact of budget restructuring on long-term Earth measurements and climate research. (Forbes, 2024-05)
Support for Local NASA-Funded Scientific Research: Her district includes Portland State University, which received NASA grants totaling over $1.5 million for scientific research, including analysis of climate at grid point through regional scales and astrobiology research on the evolution of microbial sulfur assimilation. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Commitment to Broader Scientific Enterprise: Representative Bonamici helped negotiate and pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to strengthen the U.S. scientific enterprise and bolster research and development, benefiting technology leaders like Intel in her district. (House.gov, 2024-08)
Bipartisan Action on Climate-Related Earth Science: In January 2025, Representative Bonamici co-reintroduced the bipartisan Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments (HABHRCA) Act of 2025, which reauthorizes a program to improve monitoring and mitigation of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, explicitly linking these efforts to climate change and the need for research. (House.gov, 2025-01)
[1] payloadspace.com
"House Panel Advances Three Space Bills. . The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee approved three bills on Tuesday morning designed to increase astronaut safety, tap the private sector for scientific data, and maintain US leadership for..." https://payloadspace.com/house-panel-advances-three-space-bills/
[2] spacenews.com
"House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Democrats Announce Subcommittee Assignments and Ranking Members. January 23, 2013. (Washington, DC) – The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held an Organizational Meeting today to approve..." https://spacenews.com/house-committee-on-science-space-and-technology-democrats-announce-subcommittee-assignments-and-ranking-members/
[3] kean.house.gov
"House Science, Space and Technology Committee Passes NASA Reauthorization. July 10, 2024. WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee passed the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024, legislation to reauthorize the..." https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-science-space-and-technology-committee-passes-nasa-reauthorization
[4] bonamici.house.gov
"House Science, Space and Technology Committee Passes NASA Reauthorization. . WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee passed the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024, legislation to reauthorize the National..." https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-science-space-and-technology-committee-passes-nasa-reauthorization
[5] bonamici.house.gov
"Technology and Innovation. The First Congressional District is home to some of our country's most innovative companies. The district includes technology leaders like Intel, which developed the world's first microprocessor more than 40 years ago,..." https://bonamici.house.gov/issues/technology-and-innovation
[6] sherrill.house.gov
"House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Democratic Caucus Organizes for the 117th Congress. February 12, 2021. (Washington, DC) – Today, the Democratic Caucus of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held an organizational..." https://sherrill.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-science-space-and-technology-committee-democratic-caucus-organizes-117th