House Democrats are set to introduce legislation aimed at halting further cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding and staffing, particularly following recent severe storms that exposed critical staffing shortages within the National Weather Service (NWS). This amendment will be appended to a Republican budget reconciliation bill and seeks to prevent cuts that could risk whether NOAA will be dissolved or have its functions transferred to other agencies.
Democratic representatives, including Jared Moskowitz, Eric Sorensen, Joe Neguse, and Wesley Bell, highlight urgent concerns regarding NWS staffing levels, worsened by the Trump administration’s decision to terminate probationary employees and offer early retirements. With the onset of hurricane season and extreme weather events on the rise, Moskowitz emphasized the necessity of a fully staffed agency for public safety. Sorensen, the only meteorologist in Congress, echoed this sentiment, noting that well-staffed offices are essential for accurate weather predictions.
Despite the clear need for this legislation, its passage remains unlikely given the current Republican majority in the House, especially as the Trump administration’s budget proposal threatens to cut over $1.5 billion from NOAA.
Additionally, as of spring 2023, the NWS has struggled to maintain adequate staffing levels, with many of its weather forecasting offices reporting vacancy rates exceeding 20%. The operational capacity of several offices has been significantly affected, with some unable to function overnight. While forecasters managed well during recent severe weather, experts warn of potential long-term consequences resulting from ongoing staffing shortages, including a possible decline in forecast quality due to fewer resources and meteorologists.
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