Senate Unanimously Advances $25 Billion NASA Authorization Act

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee voted unanimously on March 4 to advance the NASA Authorization Act of 2026, authorizing $24.7 billion for FY2026 and $25.3 billion for FY2027. The 2.5 percent funding increase amounts to a bipartisan repudiation of the Trump administration's budget request, which proposed slashing NASA's science portfolio by nearly half.

$7.25 Billion Saves 55 Science Missions

The authorization's most consequential provision funds NASA's Science Mission Directorate at $7.25 billion — rejecting the administration's proposed 47 percent cut that would have shuttered 55 active missions. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope all continue operations under the bill.

Three senior leadership positions — Chief Scientist, Chief Economist, and Chief Technologist — that the Department of Government Efficiency eliminated earlier this year are reinstated. The bill also preserves NASA's STEM education and workforce development portfolio, along with aeronautics research programs investigating hydrogen-powered aircraft and advanced materials.

First Congressional Authorization for a Permanent Moon Base

For the first time, Congress has authorized a permanent lunar base enabling sustained human presence on the Moon. The legislation directs NASA to continue Artemis program development with American astronauts targeting lunar orbit in 2026 and a surface landing in 2028. Long-duration habitation and robotic operations follow as subsequent milestones, establishing what lawmakers described as the foundation for eventual Mars missions.

The International Space Station receives a two-year life extension through September 30, 2032, with a defined transition pathway to commercial low-Earth orbit stations once they meet operational and safety requirements.

Bipartisan Momentum Heads to the Senate Floor

The unanimous committee vote — led by Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) — signals durable congressional support for space and Earth science funding. "This legislation rejects the President's budget request that would have gutted NASA's ability" to accomplish its core missions, Cantwell said. Nearly 20 additional amendments were adopted during the markup, reflecting broad bipartisan support.

University principal investigators, aerospace small businesses, and STEM education organizations should note that the authorization secures NASA's full research and contract pipeline for at least two fiscal years. The bill now moves to the full Senate for a floor vote. In-depth analysis of what the authorization means for specific NASA grant programs is available on the Granted blog.