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Planetary Science Caucus Statement

The U.S. House passed the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act with a 397‑28 vote, preserving core NASA funding and rejecting most OMB‑proposed cuts. The bill sustains the NASA Science Mission Directorate and other agency budgets, but retains the Office of Management and Budget’s plan to cancel the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. Planetary Science Caucus co‑chairs Judy Chu and Don Bacon praised the restored funding while expressing disappointment over the MSR cancellation. They pledged to work with NASA and Congress to revive the mission.