INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NASA typically complies with guidance from Congress since it receives its budget from Congress
(Really, you do not want to bite the hand that feeds.) However, this year's process is not expected to be normal, and there is no legal
requirement for NASA (or other federal agencies) to consider congressional feedback on their operating plans.This year, in fact, the Office
of Management and Budget has even stopped NASA from submitting operational plans to Congress."This is yet another bad faith move by the
administration, which seems hell-bent on attacking science and the future of American innovation," said Rep
George Whitesides (D-Calif.), who previously served as NASA's chief of staff
"To go around Congress, and the committee of jurisdiction that I sit on, to enact their radical agenda that will make us less safe, less
competitive, and less able to respond to threats is not only dangerous, it will cede all ground to our adversaries like China."How will this
play out?There are multiple strategies, and some of them are likely to end up in court fights
Philosophically, Vought believes strongly that the president should have more authority to direct federal spending
And he appears likely to try to force the issue this year
priorities in the president's budget request, which his office wrote.Beginning October 1, without a fiscal year 2026 budget in place, NASA
may be directed to start following the closeout plans submitted this month by principal investigators and turning missions off
That means the lights go out at Jupiter, telescopes stop gathering data across the Solar System, and so on for dozens of missions.And once
looking for their next job," Green said
