What’s at Stake for NASA If Government Shuts Down

Office of Management and Budget directs federal agencies to draft plans for layoffs in the event of a shutdown.

Jack Daleo

Friday, September 26, 2025 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Jack Daleo

Near NASA’s Mary W. Jackson headquarters in Washington, D.C., some lawmakers are pushing for a measure that would protect NASA employees during a government shutdown. [Courtesy: NASA/Joel Kowsky]

Key Takeaways:

NASA's future is imperiled by a looming government shutdown, with the White House OMB directing agencies to prepare for permanent reductions in force (RIFs) rather than temporary furloughs.
The President's Budget Request (PBR) for FY26 proposes drastic cuts to NASA's overall funding (25%) and workforce (one-third), including a 47% reduction in science missions, while prioritizing Mars-focused human space exploration.
Widespread opposition from lawmakers, NASA personnel, and advocacy groups is urging Congress to include protective language in any continuing resolution (CR) to prevent the implementation of the PBR's cuts and RIFs.
The White House has reclassified NASA, effectively ending its ability to negotiate with unions, which has led to strong resistance from labor leaders and some members of Congress.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Amid a looming government shutdown, NASA’s future hinges on whether Congress can pass a stopgap funding measure with protective language for the agency.

On Wednesday, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) moved to permanently axe federal employees—breaking from the precedent of issuing temporary furloughs—in the event of a shutdown. In a memo, OMB directed agencies to draft reductions in force (RIFs) for programs, projects, or activities that would lose discretionary funding on October 1, the start of fiscal year 2026 (FY26) and the deadline to fund the government.