WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2025) – U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee; Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Ranking Member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee; and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee sent a letter today to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Acting Administrator for NASA, Janet Petro, highlighting concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding SpaceX contracts and CEO Elon Musk serving as the co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and recently published allegations of SpaceX covering up Chinese investments.

In the letter, the Members wrote, “Because SpaceX performs significant work for the federal government across the national security and civil space architectures, even the perception of a conflict of interest is very troubling.”

“In addition to the concerns regarding conflicts of interest, particularly after a $13.7 billion contract from the Department of Defense for launch services, an article recently published highlighted potential obfuscation regarding investment by Chinese investors into SpaceX,” the Members wrote.

The Members requested answers to several questions, including what disclosures are required from SpaceX or its executives regarding potential conflicts of interest and what steps the Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA take before awarding contracts. The Members also asked how DoD and NASA review foreign ownership or contributions—particularly by Russian, Chinese, Iranian and North Korean individuals or organizations—to companies with government contracts connected to their department/agency.

“The United States has long been the world leader in space exploration and in advancing technology in space to better life on earth. As SpaceX has become a key partner across both civil and national security space, conflicts of interest and foreign investment concerns should be swiftly and appropriately addressed,” the Members wrote.

A copy of the letter can be found here.