A bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers urged the Trump administration on Tuesday to consider moving NASA headquarters from Washington, DC, to Cleveland, Ohio — arguing that the Buckeye State would be “uniquely advantageous” for the government’s space program.
The lawmakers – all from Ohio – presented their idea to Vice President JD Vance and NASA Administrator-designate Jared Isaacman in a letter making the case for Cleveland to serve as the new home for the space agency when NASA’s current building lease in Washington expires in 2028.
“While we recognize that other states, including Florida, Alabama, and Texas, may pursue similar proposals, Ohio presents a uniquely advantageous case due to its rich aerospace heritage, lower operational costs, and central role in the nation’s technology and defense sectors,” read the letter, signed by Ohio Republican Reps. Max Miller, Troy Balderson, Mike Carey, Warren Davidson, Jim Jordan, Dave Joyce, Bob Latta, Michael Rulli, Dave Taylor and Mike Turner and Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur.
Buckeye State Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, both Republicans, signed onto the letter as well.
The pitch touts the “cost savings and efficiency” that moving NASA and its more than 2,000 DC-based employees to the Midwest would provide and their plan’s “strategic alignment” with the Trump administration’s goals.
“Cleveland, home to NASA Glenn Research Center, offers a significantly lower cost of living and operating expenses than Washington, D.C.,” the lawmakers wrote. “Relocating NASA HQ to Ohio would result in substantial savings for taxpayers while maintaining access to world-class aerospace research and development resources.”
“The move aligns with broader efforts to decentralize federal agencies and reinvigorate regions outside the Beltway,” the lawmakers argued. “Ohio is the birthplace of aviation, the heart of America’s aerospace industry, and a critical hub for advanced technology, research, and manufacturing.”
“Placing NASA HQ in the ‘Heart of it All’ would reinforce our national leadership in space exploration and aeronautics innovation.”
The lawmakers noted that the Trump administration has “signaled a commitment to reshaping the federal workforce by moving administrative agencies out of Washington, D.C., promoting a return-to-office culture, and improving government efficiency,” and argued that moving NASA to Cleveland that “aligns with these objectives by encouraging in-person collaboration while reducing unnecessary federal overhead costs.”
“Ohio is the historical home of aviation and ideally suited to lead NASA into the next frontier of both Aeronautics functions and Space Exploration as you lead this agency through its remarkable transformation,” the lawmakers added. “In light of these compelling factors, we respectfully urge this Administration and NASA leadership to formally consider Ohio as the new home for NASA Headquarters.”
The lawmakers requested that Vance, who previously represented Ohio in the US Senate, and Isaacman engage in further dialogue with congressional reps and state leaders as they evaluate their proposal.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have previously pitched their states as potential homes for NASA.
NASA did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
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