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, House Committee on Appropriations
Overall Summary
Representative Cloud's strong fiscal conservatism and focus on other legislative priorities suggest a skeptical stance towards increased federal spending, including for NASA science. His past critiques of "wasteful spending" and skepticism regarding climate-related policies could pose challenges, particularly for Earth science funding.
However, his membership on the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies provides a direct avenue for influence. The presence of significant NASA science grants in his district, particularly for planetary science and Earth science research at local institutions, offers a compelling local economic and scientific benefit argument that could resonate despite his broader fiscal concerns.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching the specific economic impact and job creation generated by the Stone Aerospace grant in Del Valle, TX, to demonstrate how NASA science investment directly benefits Representative Cloud's constituents and local economy.
Explore how NASA's science investments, particularly in planetary science, align with the House Appropriations Committee's stated support for "critical science missions" and can be presented as fiscally responsible investments for national benefit.
Look into how NASA's space science activities, beyond direct grants, contribute to broader technological advancements or inspire educational pursuits within his district, to connect the issue to his constituents' lives and future workforce development.
About Michael Cloud
Graduated Oral Roberts University (1997) with a B.S. in mass media communications.
Chaired the Victoria County Republican Party from 2010 to 2017.
No public record found of military service or direct industry ties.
No specific background in STEM fields or space industry identified.
Opportunities
Local Planetary Science Investment: Stone Aerospace, Inc. in Del Valle, TX, received a $1.8 million grant for developing through-ice communication for ocean world subsurface missions, directly supporting NASA's Planetary Science objectives within Representative Cloud's district. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Local Earth Science Research: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, TX, received multiple grants totaling over $1.8 million for Earth science research, including studies on marine heatwaves, atmospheric convection, and precipitation measurement, aligning with NASA's Earth Science Mission Directorate and benefiting his constituents. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
House Appropriations Committee Membership: As a Member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Representative Cloud holds a direct role in shaping and approving federal spending, including NASA's budget for science activities, providing an avenue for influence on funding levels. (Congress.gov, 2025-08)
Committee Support for Critical Science Missions: The House Committee on Appropriations, of which Representative Cloud is a member, reported a bill for FY2025 that "continues funding for critical science missions that advance the understanding of", indicating a recognition of the value of NASA's science portfolio within the committee's budget decisions. (Congress.gov, 2025-07)
Engagement in NASA Budget Oversight: Representative Cloud's committee, the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, held hearings on NASA's FY2024 and FY2025 budget requests, demonstrating direct oversight and engagement with the agency's funding and mission priorities. (Congress.gov, 2023-04; Congress.gov, 2024-04)
Challenges
Fiscal Conservatism: Representative Cloud has a public record of advocating for reduced federal spending and has been recognized by FreedomWorks for his "100% voting record" in pushing back against "wasteful spending culture." (Cloud for Congress, undated)
Competing Priorities Focus: Representative Cloud's community project funding requests and legislative priorities emphasize local infrastructure development, military installations, agriculture, and border security, without explicitly highlighting NASA or space science as a primary focus. (Michael Cloud, undated; Cloud for Congress, undated)
Appropriations Committee Influence: As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Representative Cloud holds a position to directly influence federal spending, and his stated commitment to fiscal conservatism could lead to advocating for budget limitations, including for NASA's science activities. (Cloud for Congress, undated; Congress.gov, 2023)
Skepticism Towards Climate-Related Policies: Representative Cloud has expressed skepticism towards certain climate policies, critiquing those that he believes hinder economic growth and advocating for reduced regulatory barriers, which could translate to less support for government-funded climate research within NASA's Earth science portfolio. (C3 Solutions, 2023-02-02; Michael Cloud, 2022-09-15)
Lack of Direct STEM/Space Advocacy: Representative Cloud's biography and public statements do not indicate a specific background in STEM fields or explicit personal advocacy for space science or exploration, suggesting it may not be a top legislative priority. (Biography, undated; Michael Cloud, undated)