NASA Langley workforce cut by 40% in Trump budget plan

NASA Langley workforce cut by 40% in Trump budget plan

NASA Langley Research Center, a pivotal component of the U.S. space agency, is set to face significant cuts under the Trump administration's proposed budget. According to the White House's budget proposal, NASA's overall budget would be reduced by about a quarter, from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion [1]. This substantial reduction would lead to a workforce cut of nearly a third, impacting over 5,500 employees across NASA's 10 staffed centers [1].

Langley Research Center, specifically, would see a 40% reduction in its workforce, with a staffing cut from 1,730 to 1,058 [1]. The proposed budget also includes a shift in Langley's Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities, with plans to replace an 84-year-old vertical spin tunnel with a new flight dynamics research facility. However, this transition comes with a catch: the proposed budget slashes Aerosciences funding by more than $40 million and puts up to five unspecified wind tunnels in "stand by" mode with minimal maintenance [1].

The budget proposal is not without its critics. U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, who represents the Hampton area where Langley sits, expressed concern about the cuts, stating that they would have real consequences for NASA's scientific research and the community's ability to advance science and protect against threats like climate change and sea level rise [1]. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, added that the loss of jobs would have a particularly devastating impact on the Hampton Roads community [1].

The proposed cuts are part of a broader trend of budget cuts under the Trump administration. The White House's budget proposal includes deep cuts to federal housing and health care programs, more funding for the military, and the elimination of dozens of small government programs and agencies [2]. The Department of State, combined with some other international programs, would receive the largest cut of any Cabinet-level agency by dollars and percentage, with a $49.1 billion reduction [2]. The Department of Health and Human Services would see its budget slashed by about $33 billion, or roughly 26%, with significant cuts to programs like the National Cancer Institute and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program [2].

The White House's budget proposal is a starting point, and Congress must ultimately approve it. The proposed cuts are part of a broader trend of budget cuts under the Trump administration, which has included deep cuts to federal housing and health care programs, more funding for the military, and the elimination of dozens of small government programs and agencies. The proposed cuts are a "full-out assault on science," according to Sen. Mark Warner, who noted that NASA Langley has been an integral part of building a culture of scientific innovation in Hampton Roads and the country [1].

References:
[1] https://news.yahoo.com/news/nasa-langley-workforce-slashed-40-175300512.html
[2] https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/new-documents-show-extent-of-trump-administrations-budget-cutting-aims/