U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who serve as chairman and ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, have introduced the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. The bill is a bipartisan effort that combines 17 separate pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) ability to forecast weather, issue warnings, and communicate hazards.
The proposed legislation comes after decades in which Texas and Washington have faced more than 220 major weather disasters, including hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and winter storms. The act seeks to ensure NOAA remains focused on its mission to protect lives, property, and the economy.
Other senators co-sponsoring the bill include Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tim Sheehy (R-Mo.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
The legislation would reauthorize several weather forecasting programs first established in 2017. It also aims to modernize NOAA’s radar network by deploying next-generation technology to address gaps in coverage. Additionally, it seeks to improve forecasts for a range of severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, atmospheric rivers, flash flooding, droughts, and wildfires. The bill includes measures to enhance public communication about weather risks through clearer warnings—using tools like NOAA weather radio—and supports advanced forecasting for farmers and water managers.
Senator Cruz said: “Texas is the most exposed state to severe weather in the nation. We saw the consequences firsthand last year when catastrophic flooding claimed more than 135 lives, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic. Giving Americans the most up-to-date radar information—and delivering it quickly, no matter where you are, no matter the time of day—is imperative. The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act is a critical step toward ensuring that Texas and the nation are better prepared for severe weather.”
Senator Cantwell stated: “After enduring floods, landslides, power outages, and road closures from December’s atmospheric rivers — and facing increasingly destructive wildfires and smoke impacts — Washingtonians know all too well that weather is getting more extreme. NOAA must have the support and resources to protect our communities with cutting-edge weather research and forecasting. From improving our hazardous weather alerts to building out our next generation of radar, this legislation will ensure our country’s weather system is at the forefront of accurate and timely weather forecasting, modeling, and prediction.”
Senator Sullivan added: “Communities across the country, including in Alaska, are experiencing more frequent and severe natural disasters. Now more than ever we must invest in advancing and strengthening our preparedness response,and mitigation capabilities.The Weather Researchand Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act reinforces our existing federal programsand bolsters NOAA’s necessary forecasting warning,and hazard communication systems.It also incorporates several bills I have introduced or cosponsored includingthe Harmful Algal Bloomand Hypoxia Researchand Control Amendments(HABHRCA) Act;the NOAA Weather Radio Act;the Fire Ready Nation Act;the Accelerating Networking,Cyberinfrastructure,and Hardware for Ocean Research(ANCHOR) Act;andthe Tsunami Warningand Education Reauthorization Act which I am pleasedto see advance through this legislation.”
Senator Blunt Rochester commented: “Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the nation,and we’re seeing more frequentand more severeweather as a resultofour changing climate.It couldn’t be more importantfor us to properly investinNOAA’sweatherforecastingsothat Delawareanscan preparefor whateverweather’s comingon the horizon.I’m gratefulforthe bipartisancoalitionofcolleaguesonthisbill,andIlookforwardtoworkingtogethertogetourWeatherActpassedintolaw.”
Senator Moran said:“Kansansand Americans particularlyfarmersandranchers relyonaccessto timelyandreliableweatherdata everyday.I’m pleasedthisbillincorporatespartofmylegislation,theFORECASTAct,tohelpmakecertainNWSofficesremainstaffedtoprovidelifesaving24/7weatherforecastingtotheircommunities.”
Senator Schatz remarked:“AssevereweatherinHawai‘iandarounthecountrybecomesmoredamagingandfrequent,havingbetterforecastingcanmakeallthedifferenceinsavinglivesandlivelihoods.Ourbillwillhelpimproveforecastsandweathercommunicationssothatcommunitiescanbetteranticipatepreparefor,andrespondtoextremeweather.”
Senator Sheehy stated:“ExtremeweatherandwildfirescostushundredsofbillionsofdollarsineconomicimpactandharmcountlessAmericanseachyear,yetourgovernmentresponse–particularlytowildfire–hasn’tchangedindecades.Thetimeisnowtomodernizeourapproach.I’mproudtosupportthiscommonsenselegislationtoupgradecriticalinfrastructureimproveforecasting,andbetterprotectAmericanfamilieshomes,andbusinessesfromcatastrophicwildfireandextremeweather.”
Senator Rosen said:“Asextremeweathereventslikewildfiresanddroughtsbecomemorefrequentandlesspredictable,it’smoreimportantthaneverthatweinvestinthelatesttechnologyandsupportcriticalprogramsatNOAA.Thisbipartisanlegislationwillimproveforecastingabilityensureourcommunitiesareawareofweatherrisksasquicklyaspossibleandsupportfarmersandrancherswhoselivelihoodsdependonbeingprepared.”
The Senate Commerce Committee oversees legislative matters related to commerce science,and transportation according tothe official website. The committee operates under leadership from both parties,reviews relevant legislation during congressional sessions,is housed inthe Russell Senate Office Building in Washington,D.C., serves asa standing committee within Congress,focusing on issues such as interstate commerce science,and transportation [source].
