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.
Senator Murray, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has a strong record of supporting NASA's Science Mission Directorate, having rejected proposed cuts to numerous missions in previous budgets and explicitly opposing the drastic FY2026 proposed reductions. Her advocacy has directly secured funding for biological and physical sciences in her state, and she has highlighted the importance of climate research, aligning with NASA's Earth science efforts. The substantial NASA science contracts and grants awarded to entities in Washington State, including Aerojet Rocketdyne, Blue Origin, and the University of Washington, further demonstrate a clear local economic and scientific interest in these programs.
Despite this strong foundation of support and direct local benefit, Senator Murray's extensive legislative agenda encompasses a wide range of national priorities, creating significant competition for federal discretionary spending. While she has proven to be a protector of NASA science funding, securing substantial new investments may be challenging given these competing demands. Advocates can be guardedly optimistic, leveraging her past actions and the local impact of NASA science to reinforce the value of continued and increased investment.
Appropriations Leadership for NASA Funding: As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray oversaw the FY2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) bill, which proposed $25.43 billion for NASA, a $559 million increase over FY2024, and maintained near-level funding for the Science Mission Directorate, rejecting proposed cuts to 55 missions and STEM engagement. This demonstrates direct influence and support for NASA's overall budget and science activities. (SpacePolicyOnline, 2024-07; AIP.ORG, 2025-07)
Investment in Space Biological and Physical Sciences: Senator Murray authored a provision in the FY2024 government spending bill that secured $2.5 million for a NASA award to establish the BioS-ENDURES Consortium at the University of Washington, in partnership with Washington State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, focusing on human-plant-microbiome relationships in space. This directly supports NASA's Biological and Physical Sciences. (Sen. Murray Press Release, 2024-10)
Support for Lunar Exploration and Scientific Discovery: Senator Murray applauded NASA's May 2023 selection of Kent, WA-based Blue Origin to develop a human landing system for the Artemis V mission, emphasizing the role of space exploration in scientific discovery and inspiring future generations. Blue Origin also holds a Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract. (Sen. Murray Press Release, 2023-05; USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Opposition to Proposed Cuts to NASA Science: In May 2025, as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray issued a statement strongly opposing the President's FY2026 budget request, which proposed a 47% cut to NASA's Science Mission Directorate, stating it would "cancel numerous current and planned missions to better understand our universe, solar system, and Earth." This indicates a clear stance against reductions in NASA's science portfolio. (Sen. Murray Press Release, 2025-05)
Advocacy for Earth Science and Climate Research: As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray highlighted in July 2023 that the FY2024 CJS bill she helped write included investments in "advancing climate research" and "continuing America's leadership in space." This aligns with NASA's Earth science activities, and the University of Washington and Earth and Space Research in Seattle have received NASA grants for Earth science and climate-related projects. (Sen. Murray Press Release, 2023-07; USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
[1] murray.senate.gov
"Senator Murray Statement on Trump’s Sweeping New Illegal Cuts to Critical National Security Initiatives. March 25, 2025. Trump seeks to gut funding to: combat global narcotics trade, support allies’ defenses, strengthen American competitiveness,..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-statement-on-trumps-sweeping-new-illegal-cuts-to-critical-national-security-initiatives/?YearDisplay=0&MonthDisplay=0
[2] murray.senate.gov
"Senator Murray Establishes & Funds Scientific Consortium in Washington State, Expanding NASA Footprint in PNW. Murray wrote and passed the funding bill that provided the resources for this award and directly authored the provision to establish the..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-establishes-funds-scientific-consortium-in-washington-state-expanding-nasa-footprint-in-pnw/
[3] murray.senate.gov
"Senator Murray Secures Over $513 Million for Key Infrastructure, Environmental, and Social Projects and Priorities in Draft Appropriations Bills. Senator Murray Secures Over $513 Million for Key Infrastructure, Environmental, and Social Projects..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-secures-over-513-million-for-key-infrastructure-environmental-and-social-projects-and-priorities-in-draft-appropriations-bills/
[4] murray.senate.gov
"PASSED: As Appropriations Chair, Murray Secures Billions for WA Priorities in Six-Bill Funding Package; Fully Funds WIC & Protects Programs for Working Families. March 8, 2024. Murry protects critical funding Washington state counts on,..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/passed-as-appropriations-chair-murray-secures-billions-for-wa-priorities-in-six-bill-funding-package-fully-funds-wic-protects-programs-for-working-families/
[5] murray.senate.gov
"Page Title: Senator Murray Secures More than $206 Million for Pacific Salmon Recovery, Over $30 Million for Violence Prevention, Mental Health, and Research Initiatives in WA, Alongside Key Investments to Make America Safer and Boost Economy..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-secures-more-than-206-million-for-pacific-salmon-recovery-over-30-million-for-violence-prevention-mental-health-and-research-initiatives-in-wa-alongside-key-investments-to-make-am/
[6] murray.senate.gov
"Senator Murray Applauds Selection of Kent’s Blue Origin to Develop Human Landing System for Artemis Moon Mission. Senator Murray Applauds Selection of Kent’s Blue Origin to Develop Human Landing System for Artemis Moon Mission. ICYMI: Senator..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-applauds-selection-of-kents-blue-origin-to-develop-human-landing-system-for-artemis-moon-mission/
[7] murray.senate.gov
"Senator Murray: Maintaining Our Competitive Edge Means Investing in Scientific Discovery. April 18, 2023. WATCH: Senator Murray speaks at hearing on NASA and NSF budget requests Washington, D.C. – Today, at a Senate Appropriations Commerce,..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murray-maintaining-our-competitive-edge-means-investing-in-scientific-discovery/
[8] murray.senate.gov
"Murray, Senate Democrats Call for Continued Support of NASA Lander Program. February 3, 2021. Murray, Senate Democrats Call for Continued Support of NASA Lander Program. Human Landing System program will be critical to mission to land first woman..." https://www.murray.senate.gov/murray-senate-democrats-call-for-continued-support-of-nasa-lander-program/