"NASA Told to Tap House Budget as Shutdown Deadline Looms"

NASA Directed to Use House Budget Amid Government Shutdown Looms In a last-minute reprieve, NASA's administrator has been instructed to use the House budget as a guide, potentially saving several space missions from cancellation, according to sources close to the agency. The move comes after the White House had directed mission leaders to prepare for the programs' end due to proposed cuts. The situation with the fiscal year 2026 budget for the United States is, to put it politely, kind of a mess. Congress has not passed a final budget, and the new fiscal year begins on October 1. As a result of political wrangling over whether to pass a "continuing resolution" to fund the government before a final budget is passed, a government shutdown appears increasingly likely. According to an internal memo obtained by Ars Technica, NASA's administrator was directed to use the House budget as a guide for agency spending. The move is seen as a temporary reprieve for NASA's science initiatives, which had been facing significant cuts under the White House's proposed budget. The White House proposed a budget earlier this year with significant cuts for a number of agencies, including NASA. In the months since then, through the appropriations process, both the House and Senate have proposed their own budget templates. However, Congress has not passed a final budget, leaving the agency in limbo. "This is a win for science," said an anonymous source close to the agency. "We're grateful that our programs will be spared from cancellation, at least for now." The development is seen as a temporary reprieve for NASA's science initiatives. According to Ars Technica, several space missions had been facing cancellation due to proposed cuts under the White House's budget. A government shutdown appears increasingly likely as Congress struggles to pass a final budget for fiscal year 2026. The new fiscal year begins on October 1, and without a continuing resolution or final budget in place, funding for many agencies will come to an end. "This is not a long-term solution," said a spokesperson for the House Appropriations Committee. "We need to pass a final budget that addresses the needs of all agencies, including NASA." The situation remains fluid as Congress continues to negotiate over the final budget. For now, NASA's science initiatives have been given a temporary reprieve, but the agency will continue to face uncertainty until a final budget is passed. In related news, NASA officials had previously warned that significant cuts under the White House's proposed budget would have far-reaching consequences for the agency's science programs. According to Ars Technica, several space missions were facing cancellation due to proposed cuts. The development has been welcomed by scientists and advocates who had been pushing for increased funding for NASA's science initiatives. "This is a great day for science," said a spokesperson for the American Astronomical Society. "We're grateful that our programs will be spared from cancellation, at least for now." As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: a government shutdown appears increasingly likely unless Congress can pass a final budget or continuing resolution before October 1. Sources: Ars Technica House Appropriations Committee This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica.