BREAKING: NASA head says government shutdown will have 'devastating consequences' as he slams GOP

NASA has said in a statement it will "maintain the people to protect life and property" in the event of a government shutdown.

A statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson read: “If House Republicans force a shutdown, it will have devastating consequences for NASA, families across the country, and America’s global competitiveness.”

“We are deciding what actions are needed in the event of a congressional Republican-led government shutdown. NASA will maintain the people to protect life and property – operational missions, such as satellites, landers, and rovers, as well as the International Space Station and its crew.”

NASA missions may be deemed non-essential in the event of a government shutdown, which is looming after US Senator Dianne Feinstein’s death and the subsequent vacancy in the Senate. Before Feinstein’s death, Democrats had a slim majority of 51-49 in the Senate, including independent members who generally voted with Democrats. With her seat vacant, Democrats are at least one vote short of a majority until her replacement is appointed.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has the authority to appoint a replacement for the remainder of Feinstein's term until January 2025. The race to replace Feinstein in the 2024 election is already underway, with a primary scheduled for March. This election will determine who serves the full six-year term starting from January 2025.

The timeline for appointing a replacement is uncertain. In a previous similar situation with Senator Kamala Harris, her seat was vacant for about two weeks until a replacement was appointed. If Governor Newsom doesn't appoint a replacement swiftly, Senate Democrats could face challenges in winning enough votes to keep the government open, especially over the weekend.

Currently, there is overwhelming bipartisan support for Senate spending bills. However, the absence of one Democratic vote could complicate matters if the Republicans do not support the spending bills. It's unlikely that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Republican caucus would suddenly side with House Republicans pushing for a shutdown. However, if that were to happen, it could make the votes around a shutdown tougher for Democrats.

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