NASA employees, union representatives, and supporters gathered outside the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C., on September 15 to protest significant proposed budget cuts and recent policy changes. The demonstration, the third of its kind this summer, highlighted concerns over job losses, the cancellation of key science missions, and the erosion of worker protections.
Protesters voiced fears that the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget would severely damage the agency's capabilities and undermine its global leadership in space exploration and scientific research. The event drew attention from Capitol Hill, with at least one lawmaker addressing the crowd directly to pledge support for the agency.
Key Takeaways
- NASA staff and supporters held a protest in Washington, D.C. over proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2026.
- The proposed budget could reduce NASA's overall funding by nearly 25% and cut science programs by almost half.
- Since January, at least 4,000 employees have left the agency amid layoffs and voluntary departures.
- An executive order has eliminated collective bargaining rights for NASA unions, raising safety and labor concerns.
- Lawmakers are being urged to pass a funding bill by September 30 to avert a government shutdown and protect the agency.
Concerns Over Proposed Budget Reductions
The central issue driving the protest is the White House's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. According to documents referenced by organizers, the plan would slash NASA's total funding by nearly a quarter. The agency's science programs face even deeper cuts, with a potential reduction of almost 50%.
Demonstrators warned that such a reduction would have immediate and long-lasting consequences. The budget proposal includes the cancellation of 41 active or planned science missions. This includes spacecraft currently in operation, representing a significant loss of taxpayer investment and scientific data.
The Broader Impact of Mission Cancellations
Canceling active missions not only halts ongoing scientific discovery but also damages relationships with international partners. Many NASA projects involve collaboration with space agencies from other countries, which contribute their own funding, technology, and personnel. Abruptly ending these missions can strain diplomatic ties and jeopardize future joint ventures.
Colette Delwalla, executive director of Stand Up For Science, addressed the crowd, framing the cuts as a threat to American innovation. She argued that sustained investment is crucial for scientific progress.
"NASA is a tangible product of the greatest expression of the American dream. Dismantling this American institution is a travesty that no one voted for," Delwalla stated.
Workforce Reductions and Loss of Expertise
The impact of budget uncertainty is already being felt across the agency's workforce. Since the beginning of the year, at least 4,000 employees have departed NASA. This includes a combination of layoffs, early retirements, and voluntary separations under the administration's deferred resignation programs.
Protest organizers expressed alarm over the loss of institutional knowledge. They argued that the departure of experienced engineers, scientists, and technicians could create a skills gap that would be difficult and costly to fill in the future.
A Significant Workforce Shift
The departure of 4,000 employees represents a substantial portion of NASA's civil servant workforce, which numbers around 18,000. This rapid loss of personnel can disrupt project timelines and affect operational readiness across all NASA centers.
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, attended the protest to show his support for the agency's staff. He emphasized the connection between a stable workforce and national leadership in space.
"NASA is one of the best investments we can make in our country, and NASA's workforce is critical to making our country great," said Rep. Subramanyam. "We have to fully fund NASA in our budget, return those 4,000 jobs back to NASA and continue to support science all across this country."
Union Rights and Mission Safety
Adding to the financial pressures is a recent executive order that has altered labor relations at the agency. The order, signed on August 28, removed collective bargaining rights for unions at NASA and several other federal agencies, citing national security.
Union leaders at the protest reported that the order has led to the cancellation of contracts and the closure of union offices on NASA property. Matthew Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE), called the move an effort to weaken the workforce ahead of further reductions.
Monica Gorman, a vice president for the Goddard Engineers, Scientists and Technicians Association (GESTA), raised concerns that silencing union voices could compromise mission safety. She referenced historical tragedies like the Apollo 1 fire and the Challenger and Columbia shuttle accidents as examples of what can happen when technical concerns are not freely communicated.
"If they don't have the trust that they can speak up and bring those concerns forward without retaliation, then those concerns get buried, and people will die," Gorman warned.
The Legislative Path Forward
With a September 30 deadline approaching, lawmakers must pass a funding bill for the next fiscal year or risk a government shutdown. Advocates are pushing for a continuing resolution (CR) that would maintain current funding levels for NASA while a final budget is negotiated.
Jack Kiraly, director of government relations for The Planetary Society, told protesters that their advocacy was making a difference on Capitol Hill. He noted that budget proposals in both the House and Senate currently support full funding for the agency.
Following the protest, a bipartisan letter from Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Don Bacon (R-NE) was sent to the House Appropriations Committee. The letter urged the committee to protect NASA's budget at fiscal year 2025 levels, warning that a major funding disruption would be "devastating" and affect nearly every congressional district.
NASA officials confirmed they were aware of the demonstration but stated the agency was not affiliated with the event. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the agency's funding and operational direction for the year ahead.