DC Policy Update (18 February 2025)

Thousands of “probationary” employees have been or are expected to be laid off this week at NASA, NSF, and other federal agencies in response to the Trump administration's workforce optimization executive order. Anonymous sources are warning of proposals to cut NSF's budget by over 60%. For more details, see: 

• Science Agencies Brace for Mass Layoffs (AIP FYI) 
• NOAA, NASA Brace for Major Job Cuts (Axios) 
• National Science Foundation Fires 168 Workers as Federal Purge Continues (WIRED) 

Over the last two weeks, the House and the Senate have been working on their own versions of a budget resolution, which is the first step towards a reconciliation bill that directs the high-level spending and revenues of congressional committees. Reconciliation allows for an expedited legislative process where only a simple majority is needed to pass a bill, and thus, budget reconciliation is typically only used when the same party holds the majority in both chambers of Congress. The House Budget Committee has passed one, large resolution that directs major tax cuts and cuts to federal spending. The upper chamber has passed its own, smaller budget resolution out of the Senate Budget Committee, which focuses on defense, border security, and energy policies that match the goals of the Trump administration. It is yet to be seen how the House and the Senate will reconcile their budget differences in the coming weeks. SpacePolicyOnline's weekly update for 16–22 February provides more information. 

This budget resolution/reconciliation process is separate from the regular appropriations process that keeps the government funded every year. At the time of writing this, the status of the FY25 spending bills is unclear. There are many potential scenarios for what may occur by the expiration of the current Continuing Resolution (CR) on 14 March: we could see another short-term CR, a full-year CR, a full appropriations bill for one or more of the 12 subcommittees, or even a full or partial government shutdown. 

In light of the recent threats to federal science funding in the United States, we will be issuing a grassroots-level Action Alert to all AAS members later this week. We need your voice to urge Congress to support robust, uninterrupted funding for science and a strong federal and contractor workforce in NASA, NSF, DOE’s Office of Science, Smithsonian, DOD, etc. Every voice counts. 

We will continue to update the community as the situation develops. If you have questions or comments, feel free to stop by the AAS Policy and Education Office Hours.