Statement on NASA Funding in 2026 CJS Appropriations Act

UAW represents thousands of workers in aerospace and space science, research and manufacturing, and are supporting efforts of thousands more to unionize. After the President's Budget Request for FY 2026 gutted funding for NASA, and the Office of Management and Budget attempted to dismantle the agency by impounding appropriated funds, we have mobilized to restore funding and protect the mission-essential work performed by these workers. We are heartened that the final budget reflects the national importance of space science and discovery, and enables scientists, engineers, researchers, and business staff to continue the necessary work to deliver these critical projects.

While we are optimistic about the NASA budget, we are disappointed that the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission was not funded by Congress. MSR was ranked the nation’s highest-priority planetary science mission according to the 2023 Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey and is critical to paving the way for human exploration of the planet. Many scientists and engineers organizing with UAW work on MSR, including the Mars 2020 “Perseverance” rover mission, which has already collected dozens of rock samples with some containing potential signatures of ancient life on Mars. UAW is eager to work alongside elected leaders and community advocates to find innovative ways to bring the samples from Mars to Earth and accomplish MSR’s mission.