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, Planetary Science Caucus
Overall Summary
Representative Houlahan's background as an engineer with an MIT master's, Air Force service, and a stated admiration for Sally Ride suggests a strong personal and professional foundation for understanding and appreciating NASA's scientific endeavors. Her membership in the Congressional Planetary Science Caucus and consistent advocacy for STEM education, including support for minority-serving institutions like Lincoln University in her district, align well with the goals of increased space science funding. Furthermore, her expressed concerns about cuts to non-defense research indicate a broader inclination to protect scientific investments.
However, the current fiscal climate presents significant challenges, with Houlahan noting general pressures on non-defense discretionary spending and cuts to other research areas. While her district benefits from some NASA contracts for software and facility support, these are not directly tied to specific Science Mission Directorate programs, limiting the immediate local economic argument for science-specific investments. Advocates should emphasize the broader benefits of space science and connect it to her strong STEM education interests and the long-term economic and national security advantages, acknowledging her diverse legislative priorities.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider sharing personal stories that connect NASA's space science activities to STEM education and inspiring the next generation, aligning with her background as a science teacher and advocate for girls and women in STEM.
Explore how local companies in her district, such as Ansys Government Initiatives and Brandywine Photonics, contribute to NASA's science missions through software and electronics, demonstrating the direct economic benefits of these investments in her community.
Look into her specific interests within the Congressional Planetary Science Caucus to tailor your message, emphasizing how robust funding for NASA science aligns with her support for scientific research and national technological leadership.
About Chrissy Houlahan
Earned engineering degree from Stanford and Master's in Technology and Policy from MIT.
Served as U.S. Air Force officer, managing air and space defense technologies.
Worked to promote girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Taught 11th-grade science and held leadership roles in education non-profits.
Cited astronaut Sally Ride as an idol, indicating early space interest.
Opportunities
Planetary Science Caucus Membership: Representative Houlahan is a member of the Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, which advocates for space science, research, and exploration, including the search for life and the economic benefits of federal space investments.
Strong STEM Education Advocacy: She has consistently championed STEM education, co-leading the bipartisan Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act, which passed the House in March 2025 and September 2024 to improve K-12 STEM curricula and provide grants through the National Science Foundation. Her district also benefits from a local institution, Lincoln University, which is a minority-serving institution that could benefit from STEM education programs.
Local NASA Economic Impact: Her district hosts companies with active NASA contracts, such as Ansys Government Initiatives, LLC in Exton, PA, for software, and Brandywine Photonics LLC in PA for electronics support for missions, demonstrating direct local economic ties to NASA activities. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Professional and Personal Space Interest: With an engineering degree from Stanford, a Master's from MIT, and prior service as a U.S. Air Force officer managing air and space defense technologies, coupled with citing astronaut Sally Ride as an idol, she possesses a strong foundational understanding and personal interest in space and science. [cite: biography]
Opposition to Cuts in Non-Defense Research: Representative Houlahan has expressed concerns about cuts to non-defense programs and services in appropriations bills, including specific opposition to cuts to the National Institutes of Health, indicating a broader inclination to protect scientific research funding.
Challenges
Competing Priorities Focus: Representative Houlahan's public record indicates a broad range of legislative priorities, including healthcare, immigration, general education, and national security, which may compete for attention and resources with NASA science and exploration funding.
General Pressure on Non-Defense Discretionary Spending: Representative Houlahan has expressed frustration with continuing resolutions and noted cuts to non-defense programs, such as the National Institutes of Health, in recent appropriations, indicating a challenging fiscal environment for non-defense discretionary spending, which could impact NASA science.
Limited Direct Local Economic Ties to Specific Science/Exploration Programs: While her district receives some NASA contracts, these are primarily for general facility support, software, or engineering services, rather than significant direct involvement in specific NASA Science Mission Directorate activities (astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, Earth science, biological and physical sciences) or exploration programs. [cite: USAspending, FY2022-FY2024]
Additional Sources
[1] youngkim.house.gov
"Young Kim, Women in STEM Co-Chairs Introduce Bill Honoring Female Astronaut Pioneers. Jul 17, 2023. Washington, DC – Today, Women in STEM Caucus Co-Chairs Young Kim (CA-40), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), and Haley Stevens (MI-11)..."
https://youngkim.house.gov/media/press-releases/young-kim-women-stem-co-chairs-introduce-bill-honoring-female-astronaut