Congressman Max Miller Says it’s time for NASA to Escape the Swamp
By Congressman Max Miller (Ohio’s 7th Congressional District)
This administration has made its priorities clear: decentralizing government, cutting unnecessary workforce costs, and reinvigorating in-person collaboration. Moving NASA’s HQ to Ohio checks every box. This transition would eliminate bureaucratic waste, enhance efficiency, and strengthen accountability while supporting a region that has proven itself as a leader in aerospace, space technology, and advanced manufacturing.
NASA has always been about pushing boundaries, pioneering new frontiers, and driving technological excellence. NASA’s current headquarters in Washington, D.C., is a relic of inefficiency—outdated, overpriced, and disconnected from the very industries that fuel its mission. With the agency already reassessing its office space and the federal government prioritizing decentralization, now is the time for NASA to make a bold, strategic move.
Relocations work. A fresh, reenergized workforce in Ohio would ensure that NASA remains at the forefront of innovation, unburdened by the inertia of outdated structures in Washington.
Ohio is not just another option; it’s the most logical choice. Home to the NASA Glenn Research Center, Ohio offers everything NASA needs, from world-class research facilities to a deep talent pool and a dramatically lower cost of operation. Cleveland’s significantly lower cost of living would generate substantial taxpayer savings, ensuring that every dollar goes toward research, exploration, and cutting-edge technology. NASA’s headquarters isn’t even in a federal facility; it’s in a privately leased building. With the lease expiring in 2028, the agency has a rare and critical opportunity to break free from D.C.’s high costs and bureaucratic stagnation.
NASA has already scaled back its physical footprint in Washington, vacating multiple floors of its headquarters. Rather than renewing an unnecessary and expensive lease, NASA should seize this moment to relocate to a more cost-effective, innovation-driven hub that actually supports its mission.
Ohio isn’t just a practical choice; it’s a strategic imperative. The NASA Glenn Research Center and its Armstrong Test Facility are already leading the charge in next-generation aeronautics and spaceflight technology. Moving NASA HQ here would create an unrivaled research and development powerhouse, driving breakthroughs that will define the future of space exploration.
The Buckeye State has been at the heart of America’s aerospace legacy, from the Wright brothers’ first flight to Neil Armstrong’s giant leap for mankind to the namesake of the NASA Glenn Research Center, Senator and Astronaut John Glenn, and twenty-five other astronauts.
NASA isn’t just a leader in space, it’s the world leader in aeronautics research, an area where NASA Glenn excels. From propulsion systems and aviation safety to revolutionary green aviation technology, Glenn’s expertise makes Ohio the ideal headquarters location. By relocating, NASA can consolidate its leadership with the researchers and engineers who are shaping the next era of air and space travel.
Other states, including Florida and Alabama, are eyeing NASA HQ, but none offer the comprehensive advantages of Ohio. Florida’s Space Coast is critical for launches but lacks the deep aeronautical research infrastructure. Alabama’s Marshall Space Flight Center plays a key role in propulsion, but concentrating too many functions in one location creates inefficiencies. Ohio, by contrast, offers the perfect balance of deep aerospace roots, cutting-edge research facilities, a skilled workforce, and a cost-effective business climate.
The future of NASA does not belong in an overpriced D.C. office building. It belongs where innovation happens and where real aerospace advancements are being made every day. Ohio is ready to take NASA to new heights, ensuring that the agency is positioned for success in the 21st century. It’s time for NASA to return to its roots, embrace efficiency, and lead America’s next great leap. Not from a stagnant Beltway bureaucracy, but from the true birthplace of aviation and aerospace, the Great State of Ohio.