Rep. Gillen Secures Expansion of NASA Partnerships on Long Island and Across the Country

Video of Rep. Gillen's Remarks Available HERE

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), a member of the House Space, Science and Technology Committee, secured an amendment in the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026. This amendment will strengthen America's leadership in space by expanding NASA's research and technology partnerships in Nassau County and nationwide.

"NASA's collaborative partnerships have been instrumental in advancing NASA's research mission, increasing access to space and boosting the space economy. For instance, NASA's Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium brings together government, academia, non-profit institutions and the private sector to identify and solve the hardest problems of lunar exploration.

"This model is worth replicating. That is why I am offering this amendment, which would direct the NASA Administrator to support the expansion of research and technology consortia across the country.

"It also directs the Administrator to provide technical support and report to Congress on where new partnerships can help to maximize NASA innovation around the country. These partnerships between the private and public sectors will spur innovation across NASA mission areas, grow our regional space economies and build our nation's space workforce.

"This amendment will help ensure that NASA is working with partners that have the research and economic capacity to meet this moment but may not be located within traditional academic and industry clusters.

"My district on the South Shore of Long Island has a long history of powering America's space program. The original Lunar module, Eagle, was built on Long Island. Long Island is home to Brookhaven National Laboratory, exceptional universities such as Hofstra, Stony Brook, Molloy, and Adelphi and a thriving private sector that spurs innovation. These institutions are willing and able partners if NASA has the capacity to work with them.

"Mr. Chairman, as NASA undertakes its most ambitious missions yet, this amendment will ensure we are meeting the challenge, catalyzing research, and growing our economy. "

A copy of the amendment is available HERE.