Congress limits cuts to NASA’s science budget to 1%

In a significant reversal for the nation’s space agency, NASA’s science programs have been spared from a catastrophic “train wreck” budget.

According to an article on the ARS Technica website, while the White House initially proposed slashing science funding by nearly 50 percent last summer—even ordering “closeout” plans for dozens of active missions—Congress has stepped in to restore the agency’s fiscal health.

On Monday, lawmakers released a $24.4 billion final budget plan for fiscal year 2026, which limits the cut to NASA’s science portfolio to just one percent. This $7.25 billion allocation ensures that major initiatives, including missions to explore Venus, are back on the agenda.

Although the budget does not undo the significant workforce reductions and buyouts seen throughout 2025, space policy experts say the outcome is far better than expected, with “very little to not like” in the final agreement.