Space may not be top of mind when voters head to the ballot box, but Election Day outcomes still have a big impact on US policy and funding above the Kármán line.
Last week, Velos released a one-stop-shop for space-policy watchers to track how races are shifting in the lead up to Nov. 3. The tracker covers seats in states with major space footprints, predicted outcomes for members serving on the relevant space communities, and how big-picture election trends could shape the industry.
Gavel swings: Here’s a look at how some of the appropriators and authorizers overseeing the US space program could be affected next month.
There’s expected to be mostly stability at the top of the relevant committees and subcommittees, except for one tossup and two known departures.
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is locked in a close race that could put her leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee into question.
- Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) retirement means there will be a new top Republican on the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee.
- Rep. Seth Moulton’s (D-MA) departure from Congress, after an unsuccessful Senate run, will bring a new top Dem to the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee.
Roll call: However, there’s going to be much more turnover on the space-related subcommittees due to retirements.
- The House Science, Space, and Technology Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee will lose three members: Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), Rep. Dan Webster (R-FL), and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI).
- The House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee will lose Rep. Don Bacon (R-NB) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
- Retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and the Senate Appropriations Commerce, Science, and Justice Subcommittee.
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee who previously served as the panel’s top Democrat, is also retiring.
In addition, eight lawmakers serving on the House Armed Services Committee, House Appropriations Committee, Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senate Commerce, Science, and Technology Committee are in races rated a tossup by Velos.
State level: The tracker includes races in 28 space hubs from Alaska, to Florida’s Space Coast. Some of the areas on the list include those that host the nation’s launch infrastructure, a large concentration of space companies, and major NASA centers.
Some of the most competitive races include tossups in:
- Arizona’s 1st district, which includes Virgin Galactic;
- Texas’ 34th district, which represents SpaceX’s Starbase;
- Ohio’s 7th district, which includes NASA’s Glenn Research Center;
- Virginia’s 2nd district, which is home to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.
Big picture: Who leads committees in Congress is about more than just what happens on Election Day. Who wields the gavel is also based on who controls each chamber.
- Velos’ data predicts that Democrats will retake the House.
- Senate control remains too close to call, with six tossup races.
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