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 Harshbarger's receptiveness to increased NASA space science funding appears limited. She holds no direct committee assignments related to space or science, and her public priorities heavily lean towards border security, the economy, and healthcare, rather than space. Her expressed fiscal conservatism and skepticism towards climate science also present significant challenges, particularly for NASA's Earth Science programs. Furthermore, the minimal direct NASA science contracts in her district suggest a low immediate economic incentive for her constituents to prioritize this funding.
Despite these challenges, there are potential avenues for engagement. Her support for R&D tax incentives indicates an understanding of the value of research for economic growth, which could be leveraged by highlighting the economic benefits and technological spin-offs of space science. Her emphasis on education and STEM workforce development, coupled with local high-tech businesses, provides an opportunity to connect NASA science to inspiring future generations and fostering high-skill jobs in her district.
Support for R&D Tax Incentives: Representative Harshbarger co-sponsored the bipartisan American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act (H.R. 1304) in the 118th Congress, which aims to allow companies to fully expense research and development costs, indicating a general understanding of the importance of R&D for economic growth. This legislation could benefit companies like Eastman in Kingsport, TN, mentioned on her website as a company that would benefit from such R&D expensing. (Harshbarger.house.gov, undated)
Local High-Tech Federal Contracts: Businesses in her district, such as Hybrid Project LLC in Blountville, TN, and Tevet LLC in Greeneville, TN, have received federal contracts for advanced technology products like UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) and helium leak detectors, demonstrating a local economic interest in high-tech manufacturing and services that can be relevant to aerospace and scientific instrumentation. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Emphasis on Education and Workforce Pathways: As the first in her family to graduate college and holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Representative Harshbarger emphasizes the importance of high-quality education and diverse pathways to success, which could align with advocating for STEM education and workforce development crucial for NASA science careers. Her district includes East Tennessee State University, where she completed her undergraduate studies, and her office hosts a Military Service Academy Day for students in her district. (Harshbarger.house.gov, undated), (Harshbarger.house.gov, 2025-08), (LegiStorm, undated)
Lack of Space-Related Committee Assignments: Representative Harshbarger holds no current committee assignments directly related to space or science policy in the 119th Congress, indicating that these issues may not be a primary legislative focus for her. (Authoritative Committee Data, 119th Congress)
Competing Legislative Priorities: Her public statements and official website emphasize priorities such as border security, the economy, healthcare, and national security, with no explicit mention of space or science funding as a top legislative focus.
Skepticism Towards Climate Science: Representative Harshbarger has publicly criticized the "radical climate agenda" and related policies, which suggests potential opposition or limited support for NASA's Earth Science activities that involve climate research.
General Fiscal Conservatism: She has consistently expressed concerns about government spending and fiscal responsibility, often voting against appropriations bills, which could lead to resistance against increased federal spending on NASA science.
Limited Direct Local NASA Economic Ties: The NASA contracts identified in her district are small in value and not explicitly tied to the Science Mission Directorate, suggesting a limited direct economic stake in NASA science programs for her constituents. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024) Lack of Space-Related Committee Assignments:* Representative Harshbarger holds no current committee assignments directly related to space or science policy in the 119th Congress, indicating that these issues may not be a primary legislative focus for her. (Authoritative Committee Data, 119th Congress)
Competing Legislative Priorities: Her public statements and official website highlight priorities such as border security, the economy, healthcare, and national security, with no explicit mention of space or science funding as a top legislative focus.
Skepticism Towards Climate Science: Representative Harshbarger has publicly criticized the "radical climate agenda" and related policies, which suggests potential opposition or limited support for NASA's Earth Science activities that involve climate research.
General Fiscal Conservatism: She has consistently expressed concerns about government spending and fiscal responsibility, often voting against appropriations bills, which could lead to resistance against increased federal spending on NASA science.
Limited Direct Local NASA Economic Ties: The NASA contracts identified in her district are small in value and not explicitly tied to the Science Mission Directorate, suggesting a limited direct economic stake in NASA science programs for her constituents. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)