2024 D.C. Trip

2024 Citizens for Space Exploration Congressional Visits Report

May 20-22, 2024

Trip Summary

The 2024 CSE Congressional visits were a success and helped advance support for human space exploration and demonstrate a large, grassroots constituency for space exploration. The 32nd annual trip consisted of 75 travelers, including 27 students, representing 19 states, and conducted 286 Congressional office visits, representing 47 states, from May 21-22. The diverse group of travelers included educators, college students studying engineering or related STEM fields, industry representatives, and community leaders. A travelers briefing was conducted the evening of May 20 where we heard from various speakers outlined below.  A Congressional Reception was held the evening of May 21 in the Rayburn HOB and was well attended by over 50 congressional staffers.

A few interesting statistics from our meeting feedback surveys include:

  • 52% of House member offices were visited and 64% of Senate offices.

  • 77% were “very engaged” in the meeting.

  • 107 staffers had visited a NASA center.

  • 82% were “very knowledgeable” or “somewhat knowledgeable” about NASA’s exploration programs.

  • 83% of staffers were “very knowledgeable” or “somewhat knowledgeable” about the benefits derived from the space program – Education was mentioned in 65% of meetings, economic benefits in 52%, leadership in 55%, national defense in 49%, spinoffs in 44%, and exploration/discovery in 44%.

  • 78% of visits were considered “highly supportive” and 17% “moderately supportive” of human space exploration.

  • Specific concerns focused on uncertainty of the NASA budget.

Visits Overview

Each team consisted of a leader and 2-3 other travelers, including at least one student. The teams visited Congressional offices of their home, as well as other, states and discussed the exploration programs including Artemis and ISS, commercial crew and cargo, a future bi-partisan authorization bill, robust NASA funding, and solicited feedback from the office concerning their support of America’s space exploration program.  Teams also provided folders that included:

  • Citizens for Space Exploration white paper

  • Orion Vehicle Chart

  • Starliner Vehicle and mission overview

  • SLS Capabilities Charts

  • Artemis II Flight Path Chart

  • Federal spending pie chart highlighting NASA budget

Additionally, each congressional office was provided the NASA spending link https://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgibin/npdv/map.cgi in a follow-up thank you email.

Key messages included continuity for NASA human space exploration programs including Artemis, ISS, and commercial cargo & crew; robust funding for NASA’s return to the moon (Artemis), and NASA’s role in supporting American leadership, education, innovation, health care, and quality of life for less than half of one percent of the federal budget.  Talking points also included concern about challenges to U.S. leadership in space, the China threat, and the need for a new NASA authorization bill.

Team members discussed their specific personal reasons for support of America’s space program. For example:

  • A healthy space program is important to inspire students and steer them toward STEM careers.

  • What is happening in space exploration and why it is important to the economy, education, space leadership, national security, and to business.

  • NASA is an important investment and provides a wide range of spinoff benefits for less than .5 % of the federal budget.

  • Additional reasons such as leadership, education, technological innovation and competitiveness.

Traveler’s Briefing Reception – Monday, May 20, 2024

Brian Freedman kicked off the program with an introduction and acknowledgment of the Trip Co-Chairs. Speakers included Alicia Brown (Associate Administrator, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs-NASA HQ), Jonathan Krezel (Director, Program Planning and Control, Moon to Mars Office-NASA HQ) Tom Culligan (Senior Director, Government Relations, RTX), Kelly Page (President, Barrios and D.C. Trip Co-Chair) and Brian Baluta (Director, State and Local Government Relations, Florida-Lockheed Martin). Topics covered included CSE history, major NASA Programs overview, Capitol Hill do’s and don’ts, a space industry update, a legislative update, and a run-through of the drop-off materials and key messages.  Following the meeting, each team met, strategized and planned for the following two days of visits.

Congressional Reception – Tuesday, May 21, 2024

The Citizens for Space Exploration hosted a Congressional reception in the Rayburn HOB for Members of Congress and their staff. Over 50 staff attended.

Feedback

Some key feedback received from the teams:

  • NASA Budget uncertainties

  • Strong bipartisan support for NASA. There was continued understanding of NASA’s space exploration programs (82% knowledgeable about NASA programs).

  • Recognition and strong support for STEM education resulting from human space exploration programs.

  • Recognition that US leadership in space & human space exploration is being threatened by other countries such as China and that we cannot take US leadership for granted.

  • Many offices requested to be contacted with specific information on a potential NASA authorization bill as it became available as well as NASA spending by state and district.