Oversight Underway: Rogers, Cole Open National Weather Service Hearing
Washington, D.C. – Today, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), and other members examined the National Weather Service (NWS) and its vital public safety mission to deliver timely, accurate forecasts that protect lives and property.
The discussions with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, Taylor Jordan, centered on hiring for local weather forecast offices, technology modernization, and improvements for rural storm and emergency warnings.
The National Weather Service's efforts to become a more nimble, mobile, and modern operation will help it better serve the American people and keep them safe from inclement weather – whether it's tornadoes, floods, blizzards, or wildfires. Appropriators' oversight of federal spending ensures that taxpayer funds to federal agencies are spent in the most effective and efficient ways to protect Americans.
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers said, "In Fiscal Year 2026, Congress provided the National Weather Service with over 1.45 billion dollars to fulfill its mission: ensuring local Weather Forecast Offices are staffed for operations and leveraging technology and the private sector to cover data gaps and improve weather forecasts. The current administration seems to be making progress, working to streamline back-end functions to improve performance and increase the number of staff in local weather forecast offices across the nation. This is important and I will continue to monitor this closely. The enacted Fiscal Year 2026 bill also provided an additional 10 million dollars to support full staffing at all Weather Forecast Offices... In times of impending weather disasters, the value of clear, and accurate information coming from the Service cannot be understated and could be the difference between life and death for many Americans. Today’s discussion is critically important, and I look forward to a full discussion on how the National Weather Service can better inform our citizens."
Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.
Chairman Tom Cole said, "From the world-class research happening at NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations with the University of Oklahoma to the National Severe Storm Laboratory and the Storm Prediction Center – the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma, is a crown jewel in our nation’s weather enterprise. The expertise that exists in Norman is unparalleled. I look forward to hearing what more can be done to leverage and support this resource, utilizing the advancements local partners have made in enhanced forecasting capabilities. The National Weather Service’s ability to do so will improve the lead time and accuracy of severe weather forecasts and warnings, ultimately saving lives and reducing damage to family homes, towns, and cities. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue to provide the National Weather Service with the necessary support to fulfill its critical safety mission."
Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction Taylor Jordan said, "My focus today is NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) and its mission to provide environmental data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services (IDSS) to the American people for the protection of life and property, and the enhancement of the national economy. NOAA is transforming NWS to ensure our products and resources are aligned with our partners’ needs and expectations, and we deliver critical decision support that decision makers and emergency managers require in order to understand and mitigate weather risks. We are streamlining functions and leveraging technology to increase productivity and ensure we are delivering optimum results."
Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.
The hearing reaffirmed the House Appropriations Committee’s focus on ensuring government resources to protect Americans and support communities are effective and functioning. As FY26 enacted funding is implemented, and FY27 work begins to take shape, lawmakers continue their Article I responsibility to fund the government with vigilant oversight.
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