Top Democrats on the House Science Committee are demanding more information about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its operations within NASA, citing a lack of transparency as “ominous and unacceptable.” In a February 21st letter to NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro, Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.), and Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) expressed their dissatisfaction with NASA's previous response regarding DOGE's activities.
Their initial letter inquired about DOGE's access to classified or proprietary data, requesting a pledge from NASA to protect such data. NASA’s response, provided by Marc Hone, stated that DOGE had identified a person who would work at NASA, but failed to provide identifying information or details about their role. This lack of detail prompted the Representatives to send a follow-up letter.
The Democrats criticized the inadequate response, stating, “The lack of transparency surrounding DOGE’s presence and activities within NASA is ominous and unacceptable.” They emphasized the critical need to identify the individual working for DOGE at NASA, citing concerns about the backgrounds of other DOGE employees and the apparent unilateral assignment of this person by DOGE. “If true, DOGE’s power to embed a senior official at NASA without the agency’s input or approval makes the Committee’s oversight of this individual all the more vital,” they wrote.
Further concerns were raised regarding the individual's responsibilities at NASA. “We do not know whether his primary function will be to observe agency activities; to advise on agency policies; or perhaps to exercise an extraordinary decision-making authority related to the policymaking process, procurement actions, or operational matters,” the letter stated. The Democrats also questioned the reporting structure of this individual, whether to the NASA Administrator, another senior official, or directly to Elon Musk.
Elon Musk’s involvement with both DOGE and SpaceX has raised significant concerns about potential conflicts of interest. While NASA’s response didn't address conflict-of-interest mitigation, Administrator Petro mentioned the agency’s “very strict conflict-of-interest policies.” The Democrats' letter included 11 questions about DOGE's activities, ranging from the employee's identity and access to sensitive information to conflict-of-interest management. A response is requested by March 7th.
In a February 14th memo, Petro informed agency employees that DOGE had arrived and would begin reviewing contracts. DOGE's website lists savings from canceled contracts; however, the only listed entry for NASA is a Politico Pro subscription, with a reported $0 in savings despite the contract value of $10,600.
The letter also touches upon the recent postponement of anticipated firings of probationary civil servants at NASA. NASA confirmed that there would be no sweeping layoffs, opting instead for performance-based or voluntary separations. Approximately 900 employees, or about 5% of the workforce, participated in a buyout program.