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 Veasey's current legislative focus and lack of direct space-related committee assignments suggest that NASA science funding may not be a top priority. His district also shows minimal direct economic ties to NASA's Science Mission Directorate, with no significant grants or large contracts directly supporting scientific research, which could limit his immediate incentive to advocate for these programs. Furthermore, there is no recent public record of him explicitly championing increased investment in NASA's space science activities.
Despite these challenges, Representative Veasey's official policy interest in "Science & Technology" provides a potential entry point for discussion. His past support for STEM education and research capacity, including his legislative work on career and technology training, aligns with the workforce needs of NASA's science endeavors. His engagement with local university research, such as at SMU where NASA-related Earth science work is occurring, indicates a receptiveness to scientific and technological advancements that could be leveraged to highlight the broader benefits of NASA's science programs.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider researching how increased NASA science investment could directly support or inspire career and technology training programs in high schools within his district, aligning with his past legislative priorities and interest in STEM workforce development.
Explore specific examples of how NASA science funding could enhance research at local institutions like Southern Methodist University, building on the existing engagement with semiconductor tech hubs and patented Earth science data analysis.
Look into how NASA's space science activities contribute to broader national priorities such as economic competitiveness, technological innovation, or national security, aligning with his stated policy interest in Science & Technology.
About Marc A. Veasey
Graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications.
Worked as a substitute teacher, sportswriter, and advertising scriptwriter.
Served as a field representative for U.S. Representative Martin Frost for five years.
Served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2005 to 2013.
Authored measures to create career and technology training in high schools.
Opportunities
Support for STEM and Research Capacity: As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Veasey was associated with a committee report encouraging the Department of Defense to enhance the STEM education pipeline and science and technology research capacity, an area often garnering bipartisan support.
Engagement with Local University Research: Representative Veasey attended an event at Southern Methodist University (SMU) supporting a semiconductor tech hub, an institution where NASA and SMU engineers recently received a patent for Earth science data analysis, indicating engagement with local research that includes NASA-related science and bipartisan collaboration with other representatives.
Stated Policy Interest in Science & Technology: His official Congress.gov profile lists "Science & Technology" as one of his key policy interests, suggesting a foundational openness to related federal investments.
Advocacy for Career and Technology Training: His legislative background includes authoring measures in the Texas House of Representatives to create career and technology training in high schools, which fosters a workforce prepared for STEM fields relevant to NASA's future needs.
Challenges
Lack of Current Space-Related Committee Assignment: Representative Veasey does not hold any current committee assignments directly related to space, which may limit his direct engagement with NASA's science and exploration portfolio.
Competing Legislative Priorities: Representative Veasey's recent public statements and legislative focus primarily highlight issues such as healthcare, economic development, infrastructure, and energy, without recent explicit emphasis on NASA's science or exploration activities.
Limited Direct NASA Science/Exploration Economic Ties: The available public records indicate minimal direct economic ties to NASA's Science Mission Directorate or exploration programs within his district. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Absence of Recent Public Advocacy for NASA Science/Exploration: No recent public records from the last 24 months explicitly demonstrate Representative Veasey's advocacy for increased investment in NASA's space science activities or exploration programs.