Request for Action: End Layoffs and Restore NOAA Staffing for Public Safety

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the recent termination of approximately 800 employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with reports indicating that more layoffs may follow. As your constituent, I urge you to speak out against these cuts and work to restore full funding and staffing to this critical agency. NOAA's mission to "protect lives and property" is not simply a slogan - it is a vital function that affects every American. These cuts have reportedly impacted numerous essential departments, including: - The Hurricane Research Division, which works to improve our ability to track and forecast potentially devastating storms - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, responsible for alerting coastal communities about life-threatening tsunami risks - The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, which studies and monitors our nation's largest freshwater resource - Divisions developing weather forecasting models that Americans depend on daily These cuts are especially alarming considering: 1. NOAA has already been understaffed for years, and further reductions will only exacerbate existing challenges. 2. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, making accurate forecasting more important than ever. 3. The economic impact of weather forecasting extends far beyond public safety - agriculture, transportation, energy production, and countless other industries rely on NOAA's data to make sound business decisions. 4. The expertise and institutional knowledge lost with these terminations cannot be quickly replaced, potentially creating gaps in service that could prove dangerous or even deadly to American communities. I ask that you: - Publicly oppose these staff reductions - Work with your colleagues to restore full funding to NOAA in upcoming budget negotiations - Hold oversight hearings to examine the impact these cuts will have on weather forecasting and public safety - Support legislation that strengthens, rather than weakens, our nation's weather and climate monitoring capabilities Weather events do not discriminate based on political affiliation. All Americans deserve the protection that comes from the best possible forecasting and warning systems. I look forward to hearing how you plan to address this important issue.