Representative Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07)

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 Fletcher's strong ties to Houston and her district's significant receipt of over $11 million in NASA science grants to Rice University for planetary, Earth, heliophysics, and astrophysics research provide a solid foundation for receptiveness. Her visits to NASA Johnson Space Center, votes supporting federal appropriations, and general advocacy for scientific research indicate a positive disposition towards NASA's mission and federal science investment.

However, her lack of a committee assignment directly impacting space policy or appropriations limits her formal influence. While generally supportive of science, her public record does not show explicit advocacy for increased NASA Science Mission Directorate funding, particularly in the context of a proposed 47% cut. Advocates will need to clearly connect the value of these science programs to her district's direct benefits and the broader importance of sustained investment.

Preparation Recommendations

• Consider researching the specific NASA-funded science projects at William Marsh Rice University in her district, identifying local researchers or students involved, to highlight direct constituent impact and local scientific leadership.
• Explore how NASA's Earth science activities, or other science directorate research, directly contribute to issues Representative Fletcher prioritizes, such as flood resilience, climate change understanding, or STEM workforce development in Houston.
• Look into how NASA science investments, beyond just grants to Rice, have broadly benefited the Houston community or Texas through technological spin-offs, job creation, or inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

About Lizzie Fletcher

• Graduated from Kenyon College (Phi Beta Kappa) and William & Mary Law School.
• Practiced law in Houston, becoming a firm's first female partner.
• Born and raised in Houston, Texas, home to NASA Johnson Space Center.
• Co-introduced legislation sharing offshore wind revenue for coastal protection.

Opportunities

• Local NASA Science Funding: William Marsh Rice University in Representative Fletcher's district received over $11 million in NASA grants for diverse science activities, including planetary science, Earth science, heliophysics, and astrophysics, demonstrating direct local benefit from NASA's Science Mission Directorate. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)

• Support for NASA Johnson Space Center: Representative Fletcher visited NASA's Johnson Space Center in June 2025, expressing inspiration and determination to support NASA's ongoing projects, highlighting her engagement with the prominent NASA facility in her home city. (Vertex AI Search, 2025-06-08)

• Votes for Federal Appropriations: Representative Fletcher voted for the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act in March 2024 and against a Republican spending bill in March 2025 that would reduce funding for critical government programs, indicating a general posture of supporting federal investments that include NASA. (Vertex AI Search, 2024-03-22; Vertex AI Search, 2025-03-11)

• Advocacy for Scientific Research: In May 2025, Representative Fletcher emphasized the importance of scientific research, stating that "we pull our money for research right for scientific. research," and expressed concern over cuts to NOAA weather research, reflecting a broader support for federal science funding. (Vertex AI Search, 2025-05-09)

• Engagement with Local Research Institutions: Representative Fletcher visited Rice University in August 2023 to discuss climate change and geothermal energy research, demonstrating her engagement with a key local institution conducting scientific studies relevant to federal research priorities. (Vertex AI Search, 2023-08-30)

Challenges

• No Space-Related Committee Assignment: Representative Fletcher does not hold a current assignment on any congressional committee directly responsible for space policy or appropriations, which limits her formal influence on NASA's budget and direction. (Authoritative Committee Data, 2025-09)
• Competing Legislative Priorities: Representative Fletcher's public record indicates a primary focus on legislative areas such as healthcare, immigration, and flood resilience, which may compete for her attention and legislative efforts regarding increased NASA science investment. (Intown Magazine, 2025-09; Lizzie Fletcher Official Website, 2024-09)
• Limited Explicit Advocacy for Increased Science Funding: While generally supportive of NASA's presence in her district, public records from the last 24 months do not consistently show explicit statements or actions by Representative Fletcher specifically advocating for increased funding for NASA's Science Mission Directorate activities. (Lizzie Fletcher Official Website, 2024-09; Intown Magazine, 2024-01)

Additional Sources

[1] planetary.org

"When Space Science Becomes a Political Liability. November 15, 2018. Representative John Culberson, an 8-term Texas Republican and staunch supporter of NASA and planetary exploration, lost his re-election bid to Democrat Lizzie Fletcher last week...." https://www.planetary.org/articles/1115-the-political-liability-of-space-science