NASA Administrator Directed to Use House Budget Amid Government Shutdown Looms
A government shutdown appears increasingly likely as Congress struggles to pass a final budget for fiscal year 2026, but in a win for science, NASA's administrator has been directed to use the House budget as a guide, potentially saving several space missions from cancellation. According to sources close to the matter, this move comes after the White House had instructed mission leaders to prepare for the programs' end due to proposed cuts.
The development is seen as a temporary reprieve for NASA's science initiatives. The situation with the fiscal year 2026 budget for the United States has been described as "a mess" by experts, with both the House and Senate proposing their own budget templates in the months since the White House proposed significant cuts for several agencies, including NASA.
The appropriations process has stalled, and Congress has not passed a final budget. As a result, a government shutdown appears to be increasingly likely unless a "continuing resolution" is passed to fund the government before October 1, when the new fiscal year begins. According to an Ars Technica report, this would allow NASA to continue its operations using the House budget as a guide.
The move has been welcomed by space enthusiasts and scientists who had expressed concerns about the potential cancellation of several missions due to proposed cuts. "This is a temporary reprieve for NASA's science initiatives," said Dr. Maria Zuber, a planetary scientist at MIT. "However, we still need a final budget passed by Congress to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs."
The White House had instructed mission leaders to prepare for the end of several space missions due to proposed cuts. However, according to NASA's administrator, Jim Bridenstine, the agency will now use the House budget as a guide to continue its operations. "We are grateful that Congress has taken steps to ensure the continued funding of our science initiatives," said Bridenstine in a statement.
The situation remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether a final budget will be passed by Congress before October 1. However, for now, NASA's science initiatives have been given a temporary reprieve from potential cancellation. As one expert noted, "This is a positive development, but we still need to see a final budget passed by Congress to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs."
In related news, the appropriations process has stalled, and Congress has not passed a final budget for fiscal year 2026. The new fiscal year begins on October 1, and unless a "continuing resolution" is passed to fund the government, a government shutdown appears increasingly likely.
Background information:
The White House proposed significant cuts for several agencies, including NASA, in its budget proposal earlier this year. However, both the House and Senate have proposed their own budget templates, which differ from the White House's proposal. The appropriations process has stalled, and Congress has not passed a final budget.
According to an Ars Technica report, the situation with the fiscal year 2026 budget for the United States is "a mess." Experts describe it as a complex and contentious process that has resulted in significant delays and uncertainty.
Relevant quotes:
"This is a temporary reprieve for NASA's science initiatives," said Dr. Maria Zuber, a planetary scientist at MIT. "However, we still need a final budget passed by Congress to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs."
"We are grateful that Congress has taken steps to ensure the continued funding of our science initiatives," said Jim Bridenstine, NASA's administrator.
"This is a positive development, but we still need to see a final budget passed by Congress to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programs," said an expert who wished to remain anonymous.
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica.
