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
Representative Meuser's strong fiscal conservatism and consistent calls for reduced government spending pose a significant challenge to advocating for increased NASA space science funding, especially given the hypothetical 47% cut. His district also lacks direct economic ties to NASA science, with no relevant contracts or grants, and his past skepticism on climate science may make him unreceptive to Earth science components. Furthermore, his legislative priorities and committee assignments are not directly related to space.
However, there is guarded optimism in his support for critical technology investment, innovation, and economic growth, particularly for small businesses and manufacturing in Pennsylvania. Framing NASA science as a driver of advanced technologies, a catalyst for innovation, and a contributor to the broader U.S. economy, rather than solely as a spending item, might resonate with his business background and focus on job creation. Highlighting the long-term economic and technological returns of space science could align with his interest in fostering technological advancement and public-private partnerships.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching examples of small businesses, particularly those involved in critical technologies or advanced manufacturing, that contribute to NASA's space science missions nationwide. This could help illustrate how investment in NASA science aligns with his support for small business growth and technological advancement, even without direct district contracts.
Explore how NASA's overall science budget contributes to high-tech job creation, workforce development, and R&D investment across the U.S., which could resonate with his focus on economic growth and manufacturing, even if not directly localized to Pennsylvania's 9th district.
Look into specific instances where NASA's space science activities utilize artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, or foster public-private and inter-agency collaboration, connecting to his expressed interest in these innovative technologies and partnerships.
About Daniel Meuser
U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district since 2019.
Former Secretary of Revenue for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Long career as an executive and president at Pride Mobility Products, a medical device manufacturer.
Testified before Congress on federal practices related to rights and care for the disabled.
Opportunities
Critical Technology Investment: Meuser co-sponsored and advocated for the "Investing in All of America Act" (H.R. 2066), which aims to expand capital access for small businesses, particularly those in the critical technology sector, demonstrating support for technological advancement and public-private partnerships. The bill aims to benefit small businesses in Pennsylvania, with Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) injecting $412.3 million into Pennsylvania small businesses last year.
Innovation and Emerging Technologies: Meuser highlighted significant investments in Pennsylvania from the Energy and Innovation Summit, including AI-powered data centers, and supported legislation for financial technology, indicating a general posture toward fostering technological advancement. He specifically mentioned "over $90 billion in new investment coming directly into Pennsylvania" from the Energy and Innovation Summit.
Technology-Driven Collaboration: As a Subcommittee Chairman, Meuser emphasized the necessity of collaboration across federal, state, local government, and technology platforms to address challenges like fraud, acknowledging the role of advanced technologies like AI.
Economic Growth and Manufacturing: Meuser's business background and recent advocacy for job creation and investment in manufacturing, such as keeping U.S. Steel in Pennsylvania, suggest a pragmatic approach to federal spending that could align with the economic benefits of NASA science. His former company, Pride Mobility Products, was a significant employer in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, and he championed the U.S. Steel agreement impacting Pennsylvania.
Challenges
Lack of Direct NASA-Related Economic Ties: No relevant NASA Science Mission Directorate contracts or grants were found for Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Fiscal Conservatism and Spending Reduction Focus: Representative Meuser has consistently advocated for reducing government spending and national debt, stating in January 2023 that "spending is the root of a lot of evil" and criticizing a $1.7 trillion discretionary bill. He also supported the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in July 2025, which aimed to reduce federal spending.
Skepticism on Climate Science and Earth Science Funding: Representative Meuser has opposed climate legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act, and favors fossil fuels for energy independence, with his voting record reflecting opposition to clean energy and emissions reduction measures. In August 2023, he indicated that certain hearings were not about climate change.
Absence of Space-Related Committee Assignments: Representative Meuser does not hold any current space-related committee assignments in the 119th Congress, which may limit his direct legislative influence on NASA's space science activities.
Competing Legislative Priorities: Representative Meuser's stated priorities emphasize border security, economic growth, national security, and domestic energy production, indicating a primary focus on areas outside of space science. His current committee assignments are on Financial Services and Small Business.