16 January 2026 2015, the Senate voted to approve a "mini-package" of appropriations, which combines three spending bills. It provides for NASA $24,438 billion - a little less, than $24,875 billion, which the agency received in the previous two fiscal years, but much more, than $18,8 billions, proposed by the Trump administration in May 2025 year.
The bill restores funding for NASA science programs, providing $7,25 billions. IN 2025 year scientific account NASA received $7,334 billions, but the administration proposed to reduce it by 47% - up to a little more $3,9 billions. The "mini-package" also rejects proposed cuts to NASA's space operations bill, which includes the International Space Station and support for future commercial space stations. The White House asked to reduce it by 25% from $4,22 billions, received in 2025, but the draft law provides for allocation $4,175 billion. Funding for NASA's Space Technology Account has been partially restored. IN 2025 year he received $1,1 billion, and the "mini-package" provides him $920,5 millions. The reduction took place by approx 16%, while according to Trump's proposal, the reduction should have been almost at 50%. NASA space exploration programs, including the Space Launch System, Orion and the lunar landing system for humans, receive $7,783 billions - a little more, than
$7,666 billion in 2025. The administration proposed to increase this account to more than $8,3 billions.
However, the legislation is not entirely positive for NASA. It approved the administration's proposal to cancel the long-running Mars Sample Return program, collected by the Perseverance rover on Mars, to Earth. The program has faced significant cost overruns and schedule delays, which prompted NASA last year to study alternative architectures.
Yet, adoption of the "mini-package" strengthens the position of the United States in manned space flights, space science and aeronautics at a very critical moment. According to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aerospace Industry Association, investing in NASA and NOAA guarantees, that the United States remains a world leader in space exploration and scientific discovery.
Source: https://spacenews.com