WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, a leading member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned Dr. Neil Jacobs about his plans for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) amidst proposed budget cuts. Dr. Jacobs is President Trump’s nominee to lead NOAA.
The Trump administration's budget proposal includes a $2.2 billion cut from NOAA and would eliminate its Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). This office plays a crucial role in weather forecasting, climate research, fisheries management, and other essential functions.
"NOAA does play an incredibly important role in preserving life and property," Sen. Cantwell stated during her opening remarks at the hearing.
Senator Cantwell highlighted concerns over the elimination of NOAA’s R&D arm, which she described as "critical to improving lead times and accuracy of information." She emphasized that NOAA's research projects are vital for issuing early warnings for natural disasters.
The senator also addressed workforce issues within NOAA: “Since the start of the year, NOAA’s workforce has been gutted by 2,000 employees,” she noted.
In questioning Dr. Jacobs on how he plans to maintain NOAA's core functions despite these challenges, Sen. Cantwell asked: “You said you supported the 27% budget cut to NOAA... How do you keep your science mission if we're cutting that budget?”
Dr. Jacobs responded by expressing hope that some responsibilities would transfer to other services within NOAA: "It's my objective to make sure that NOAA fulfills their mission requirements," he claimed.
However, Senator Cantwell remained skeptical: “I think we're in a disagreement on this... We think it's the key to NOAA doing its job overall.”
