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 Fitzgerald's strong fiscal conservatism and consistent advocacy for reduced government spending present a significant challenge to increasing NASA science investments, especially given the proposed FY2026 budget cuts. His expressed skepticism regarding climate science may also extend to NASA's Earth science programs, and his lack of a direct committee assignment overseeing space policy could limit his engagement. Furthermore, the existing NASA contracts in his district are small and not directly tied to core science mission activities, suggesting a limited local economic constituency for this specific ask.
However, there are avenues for engagement. The presence of two NASA contracts in his district, though modest, demonstrates a direct local economic benefit and aligns with his office's support for small businesses and domestic manufacturing in critical technologies. His extensive military background may make him receptive to arguments about how space science contributes to national security and technological leadership. Advocates could highlight how NASA science investments foster innovation, support high-tech jobs, and maintain U.S. competitiveness, aligning with his stated interest in strategic federal investments that benefit local enterprises.
Preparation Recommendations
Consider discussing the NASA contracts awarded to E-Imagedata Corp. and Floor23 Digital LLC in his district, framing NASA science investment as a way to support local small businesses and foster innovation within the community.
Explore how NASA's scientific advancements, from Earth observation to advanced propulsion research, contribute to national security and technological superiority, aligning with his military service and support for critical domestic technologies.
Look into presenting NASA science funding as a strategic federal investment that delivers long-term returns in economic growth, technological innovation, and STEM workforce development, addressing his fiscal conservatism by emphasizing value and outcomes.
About Scott Fitzgerald
Earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (1985).
Served 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel (2009).
Worked for nearly a decade as a newspaper publisher and associate publisher.
Served 26 years in the Wisconsin State Senate (1995-2021), including as Majority Leader.
Opportunities
Local Economic Impact: Two companies in Representative Fitzgerald's district, E-Imagedata Corp. in Hartford and Floor23 Digital LLC in Jackson, have received NASA contracts, demonstrating direct local economic benefits from NASA activities. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Support for Strategic Technology: While voting against the CHIPS Act, Representative Fitzgerald stated his support for "domestic manufacturing in critical technologies like semiconductors," indicating an openness to strategic federal investments in technology when fiscally responsible. (Rep. Fitzgerald Press Release, 2022-07-28)
National Security Alignment: His 27 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel, and recent support for strengthening military funding and missile defense, suggest an appreciation for technological capabilities that space science can enhance for national security. (Wikipedia, 2025; Quiver Quantitative, 2025-07-18)
Small Business Engagement: Representative Fitzgerald's office explicitly offers assistance to small businesses, aligning with the fact that two small businesses in his district have received NASA contracts, indicating a potential receptiveness to federal programs that support local enterprises in technology and innovation. (Rep. Fitzgerald House.gov, 2025; USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)
Higher Education Connection: Representative Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, indicating a connection to the academic community which is a key partner in NASA's scientific research and development. (Wikipedia, 2025; Rep. Fitzgerald House.gov, 2025)
Challenges
Fiscal Conservatism: Representative Fitzgerald consistently advocates for reducing government spending and achieving fiscal responsibility, which may limit support for increased NASA science and exploration investments. (Representative Scott Fitzgerald, 2025-02; Quiver Quantitative, 2025-09; Heritage Action For America, 2022-07)
Skepticism on Climate Science: Representative Fitzgerald has expressed skepticism regarding the conclusions of climate science and has actively opposed climate-related government initiatives, which could extend to NASA's Earth science funding. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2019-09; Representative Scott Fitzgerald, 2024-04)
Lack of Space Committee Assignment: Representative Fitzgerald holds no current assignments on House committees directly overseeing NASA or space policy, potentially reducing his direct engagement with and advocacy for space science and exploration. (Authoritative Committee Data, 2025)
Limited Local NASA Science Economic Ties: The identified NASA contracts in Representative Fitzgerald's district are small in value and not directly tied to the core Science Mission Directorate activities, suggesting a limited direct economic constituency for NASA science. (USAspending, FY2022-FY2024)