<h1>Proposal to End Funding for Key NASA Climate Monitoring Missions Sparks Legal and Policy Debate</h1> The administration has proposed ending funding for two NASA missions that monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide and plant health, citing budget priorities and the missions being beyond their prime. These missions provide critical data for tracking greenhouse gas emissions and vegetation health, aiding climate science, agriculture, and policy decisions. Congressional disagreement exists, with the House supporting termination and the Senate seeking to preserve funding. Concerns have been raised about the legality of terminating missions with appropriated funds and the broader impact on climate research. Efforts are underway to secure alternative funding from international partners and private sources, though legal issues complicate transferring control of the satellite to non-U.S. entities. Critics argue the decision undermines essential climate monitoring and risks losing valuable scientific assets.