Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA)

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

Senator Warner's background in technology and consistent advocacy for federal R&D, emerging technologies, and STEM education align well with NASA's scientific mission. Virginia benefits significantly from NASA's presence, with over $1.8 billion in science-related contracts and grants over the last three fiscal years, including major awards to Peraton Inc. for critical space communications and SAIC for multidisciplinary engineering that directly enable science missions. These investments support high-tech jobs and research institutions across the state, providing a strong economic foundation for his potential support.

Despite these connections, Senator Warner's lack of a direct committee assignment for space policy and his broader focus on commercial, national security, and other legislative priorities could present challenges for advocating specifically for increased NASA science funding, particularly in light of a proposed 47% cut. To be most effective, advocates should emphasize how robust investment in NASA's science portfolio directly supports Virginia's aerospace workforce, strengthens the state's technology sector, and underpins the very communications and engineering infrastructure he champions.

Preparation Recommendations

About Mark R. Warner

Opportunities

Challenges