U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell, Ted Cruz, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Dan Sullivan, Brian Schatz, Jerry Moran, Jacky Rosen, and Tim Sheehy have introduced the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. The bipartisan bill aims to update programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve weather research and forecasting across the United States.
Senator Cantwell said, “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 Cruz stated, “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 Blunt Rochester added: “Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the nation, and we’re seeing more frequent and more severe weather as a result of our changing climate. It couldn’t be more important for us to properly invest in NOAA’s weather forecasting so Delawareans can prepare for whatever weather’s coming on the horizon. I’m grateful for the bipartisan coalition of colleagues on this bill, and I look forward to working together to get our Weather Act passed into law.”
According to Senator Sullivan: “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 Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act reinforces our existing federal programs and bolsters NOAA’s necessary forecasting, warning, and hazard communication systems. It also incorporates several bills I have introduced or cosponsored including the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and 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; and the Tsunami Warning and Education Reauthorization Act which I am pleased to see advance through this legislation.”
Senator Schatz commented: “As severe weather in Hawai‘i and around the country becomes more damaging and frequent having better forecasting can make all the difference in saving livesand livelihoods.Our bill will help improve forecastsandweather communications so that communities can better anticipate preparefor,and respondtoextremeweather.”
Senator Moran noted: “KansansandAmericans particularly farmersandranchers relyonaccesstotimelyandreliableweatherdataeveryday.I’mpleasedthisbillincorporatespartofmylegislation,theFORECASTAct,tohelpmakecertainNWSofficesremainstaffedtoprovidelifesaving24/7weatherforecastingtotheircommunities.”
Senator Rosen said: “As extremeweathereventslikewildfiresanddroughtsbecomemorefrequentandlesspredictable,it’smoreimportantthaneverthatweinvestinthelatesttechnologyandsupportcriticalprogramsatNOAA.Thisbipartisanlegislationwillimproveforecastingabilityensureourcommunitiesareawareofweatherrisksasquicklyaspossibleandsupportfarmersandrancherswhoselivelihoodsdependonbeingprepared.”
Senator Sheehy remarked: “ExtremeweatherandwildfirescostushundredsofbillionsofdollarsineconomicimpactandharmcountlessAmericanseachyear,yetourgovernmentresponse–particularlytowildfire–hasn’tchangedindecades.Thetimeisnowtomodernizeourapproach.I’mproudtosupportthiscommonsenselegislationtoupgradecriticalinfrastructureimproveforecasting,andbetterprotectAmericanfamilieshomes,andbusinessesfromcatastrophicwildfireandextremeweather.”
The proposed act includes measures such as establishing an atmospheric river forecast improvement program; requiring NOAA to upgrade outdated radio technology; incorporating risks from atmospheric rivers into landslide preparedness planning; creating an official Fire Weather Services Program within NOAA; advancing drought monitoring technologies; maintaining support for emergency managers during hazardous events; updating tsunami warning programs; expanding tornado forecast goals; providing funding for advanced radar research; supporting agriculture with improved precipitation forecasts; authorizing automated station networks like National Mesonet Program; expanding commercial data partnerships with private sector sources for operational use by NOAA.
Supporters outside Congress include Janice Lachance of American Geophysical Union who said: “Communities across the country are already experiencing more extreme storms,flooding,drought,and heat—andthe costs ofin action continue torise.TheWeatherActReauthorizationActstrengthensthenation’sweatherenterprisesoscientificadvancesmovemorequicklyfromthelabtoforecastshelpingemergencymanagersfarmers,andfamiliesmakeinformeddecisionswhenitmattersmost.AGUstronglysupportsthis bipartisanefforttoensuresciencecontinuestoprotectpublicsafetysupporteconomicstability,andbuildnationalresilience.” Alan Sealls,presidentoftheAmericanMeteorologicalSocietyadded:“TheAmericanMeteorologicalSocietystronglysupportsalleffortsintendedtoimprovetheabilitytosavelivesprotectpropertyandenhanceeconomicopportunities.Investmentsinobservingsystemsandtheforecastingenvironmentalpheno menawillfurthergrowthevalueofweatherandclimateinformationtotheU.S.economyalreadyexceeding$100billionannually.AstrongweatherenterpriseisessentialtoU.S.economicleadership.” Professor Shuyi Chen attheUniversityofWashingtonsaid:“Thisbillhasthepotentialtogreatlyimprovepeople’slivesonan everydaybasisasitwillleadtoadvancesinmanyareas--fromobservationsandmodelingtowarningsanddecisionsupport--toreducelossoflifeandpropertyfromextremeweather.Italsowillaccelerateinnovationsinuncrewedobservationsanda rtificialintelligence/machinelearning-enabledforecastingbydirectingNOAAtocoordinateacrossfederalacademic,andprivatepartnersaswellasprioritizemeasurableforecastimprovementsforhigh-impacthazardsincludingatmosphericriversco astalfloodingandstormsurge,andextremeheat.” Jack Waldorf executive director Western Governors’ Association commented:“WesternGovernorshavelongadvocatedfortheimprovementofforecastingabilitiesforweatherandnaturaldisastersasevidencedbytheireffortsthatledtothecreationoftheNationalIntegratedDroughtInformationSystem.Wester nGovernorsareencouragedbyseveralprovisionswithintheWeatherActwhichenhanceandreauthorizedroughtmonitoringfireweatheranddisasterforecastingwaterqualitymaintenance,andsoilmoisturesensing.Theseprogramsarecriticaltoe nhancingthesecurityandprosperityoftheWest'scommunitiesandeconomies.WGAapplaudstheeffortsofSenatorMariaCantwell(D-WA)andSenatorTedCruz(R-TX)toadvancetheWeatherActthroughCongressandencouragesthefullSenatet oswiftlyconsiderthelegislation.”
The Senate Commerce Science & Transportation Committee oversees legislative matters involving commerce science & transportation according tothe official website. This committee operates under a chairman & includes members from both parties reviewing relevant legislation during congressional sessions here. Its main office is located inthe Russell Senate Office Building Washington D.C., addressing policies relatedtointerstatecommerce science&transportation here.
This new bill builds on previous efforts by Senator Cantwell including securing $3.3 billion for NOAA investments via recent federal legislation enhancing readiness against climate change & modernizing national infrastructure relatedtow eathercommunication & emergency response.
