1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The firing of hundreds of employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) is a reckless and dangerous move that jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of all Americans. These agencies provide critical weather forecasting and monitoring services that are essential not only during severe weather events but also for daily activities and planning across various industries and sectors. The ability to access accurate and timely weather information is vital for ensuring public safety, protecting livelihoods, and enabling economic activities to proceed smoothly. From individuals planning outdoor activities to businesses in industries like aviation, shipping, and agriculture, reliable weather data is indispensable. Attempting to dismantle or privatize these services would create a dangerous information gap, putting lives at risk and causing significant economic disruption. This mass termination of skilled professionals is not only cruel and unlawful but also fails to achieve any claimed goals of efficiency or cost-saving. NOAA and NWS provide immense value to society at a relatively low cost to taxpayers, with their services helping to mitigate losses and damages from severe weather events. Rebuilding these capabilities through private entities would undoubtedly be more expensive and less effective in the long run. These firings represent a blatant attempt to undermine vital public services for self-serving interests, prioritizing profits over the wellbeing of the American people. It is imperative that Congress takes immediate action to condemn these attacks on federal workers and safeguard the essential services provided by NOAA and NWS. The ability to access accurate and timely weather information should be a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.