Why It Matters
Blue Origin faces a critical funding and contracting inflection point. Congress has rejected deep NASA budget cuts, preserving Artemis program resources, but NASA has simultaneously reopened competitive bidding for lunar lander contracts—creating both opportunity and uncertainty. The company’s New Glenn rocket is nearing national security certification, positioning it for expanded military launch contracts, yet it faces intense competition from SpaceX for both NASA and Department of Defense dollars. Adding Holland & Knight—a full-service firm with a lobbyist who served as senior staff for a Senate appropriator—signals Blue Origin is doubling down on Capitol Hill presence to protect and expand its slice of multi-billion-dollar federal contracts.
By the Numbers
Blue Origin LLC has spent $23.86 million across 309 lobbying disclosures since 2013. This Q4 2025 engagement with Holland & Knight LLP cost $60,000 and represents a strategic expansion—the company paid for access to a full-service operation with over $200 million in lobbying fees since 2003.
Holland & Knight’s team includes Sean P. McGlynn, who served as Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Senator Barbara Mikulski on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Ralph Paul Stimers, a veteran space policy specialist with 49 prior Blue Origin disclosures.
This differs from Blue Origin’s historical approach of hiring specialized boutique firms. The company previously used K&L Gates LLP for FAA regulation and Barnes & Thornburg LLP for appropriations.
The Agenda
Blue Origin retained Holland & Knight to focus on FY 2026 appropriations bills for Commerce, Justice, and Science and the Department of Defense. The company is also targeting the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025, which sets policy direction for the Artemis program.
The lobbying reflects Blue Origin’s core business interests—competing for NASA contracts for its Blue Moon lunar lander and pursuing DoD contracts for national security space launch missions using its New Glenn rocket. These appropriations bills directly determine funding levels representing billions in potential revenue.
Broader Context
Congress allocated $24.4 billion to NASA for FY 2026—nearly $6 billion more than the White House proposed. More significantly, NASA reopened its Artemis III lunar lander competition after citing SpaceX Starship delays, potentially awarding Blue Origin contracts worth $1-2 billion.
In national security space, the DoD awarded Phase 3 NSSL contracts in April 2025 to Blue Origin, SpaceX, and ULA for approximately 54 missions from 2027 onward, though SpaceX received the larger initial allocation. Blue Origin has technical momentum—the company successfully launched New Glenn twice in 2025 and is halfway through certification for national security missions.
Between The Lines
Congress is finalizing the FY 2026 CJS Appropriations bills and Defense Appropriations bills that will determine NASA funding and National Security Space Launch contract distributions. Recent congressional hearings on Artemis program progress and National Security Space Programs directly affect Blue Origin’s prospects.
Key members are mobilizing support. Senators Ted Cruz and Eric Schmitt publicly congratulated Blue Origin on its New Glenn success, while Texas leaders cited Blue Origin as central to the state’s commercial space ecosystem.
Competitive Landscape
Blue Origin faces formidable competition on identical legislation. Elon Musk’s SpaceX is heavily engaged on FY 2026 appropriations and NASA reauthorization. United Launch Alliance LLC lobbies to protect its incumbent position in national security launch.
The competitive intensity is acute in two areas: NASA’s decision to open Artemis III contracts beyond SpaceX creates genuine opportunity, while the National Security Space Launch program distributes dozens of military missions through 2027. SpaceX received seven initial Phase 3 launches worth $714 million, while Blue Origin received a smaller allocation.
The Bottom Line
Blue Origin’s lobbying adds firepower amid intense competition with SpaceX and United Launch Alliance for Artemis lunar work and military launch contracts. Holland & Knight brings Senate Appropriations Committee experience, enhancing Blue Origin’s access during critical funding negotiations for competing aerospace initiatives.
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