Ranking Member Lofgren's Statement on Degraded Services at Weather Forecasting Offices as a Result of Trump Firings
(Washington, DC) – Today, the New York Times reported that the National Weather Service (NWS) is planning for “degraded operations” due to cuts to the workforce made by the Trump administration. The reporting references an agency document, which has been reviewed by Science Committee Democratic Staff, that details contingency plans for the strained workforce at the nation’s 122 Weather Forecasting Offices (WFO).
“This confirms what Democrats have pointed out since Trump took office,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18). “Trump and DOGE’s dismantling of NOAA and the National Weather Service has degraded life-saving public services that people rely on every day. The President’s actions and his unwillingness to take care of critical public services will unnecessarily put people in harm’s way. Chaotic and illegal firings, coercions to resign, reductions in force, and a general obsession with destroying the morale of dedicated public servants have left the National Weather Service’s workforce so strained they cannot carry out their duties as they once did. The WFO network and the people who work there are unequivocally the foundation of our National Weather Service. Any lip service from the Administration about preserving NOAA's forecasting abilities is pure hypocrisy when the workforce is hollowed out and demoralized. I call on the President and Commerce Secretary Lutnick to immediately stop the bleeding at NWS Weather Forecasting Offices and end their hiring freeze so these offices can operate at full capacity. Lives are on the line.”
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