Trump proposes steep cut to NASA budget as astronauts head for the Moon

President Trump released a budget blueprint Friday proposing a 23 percent cut to NASA's budget, just two days after the agency launched four astronauts on the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years. The spending proposal for fiscal year 2027 marks the opening phase of a multi-month budget process that requires both houses of Congress to draft and reconcile appropriations bills. The Republican-led Congress rejected a similar NASA cut last year, keeping the agency's budget close to Biden-era levels, suggesting this proposal will likely face resistance again. Both chambers must pass their own versions and reconcile differences before sending a final budget to Trump for signature, with fiscal year 2027 beginning October 1.