Fund NOAA, NWS for crucial weather data, preparation

This week's extreme heat wave highlights the critical importance of fully funding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS). Americans rely on their accurate and timely weather forecasts and data to plan accordingly and stay safe during dangerous conditions. Tools like the NOAA-CDC HeatRisk tool provide vital information to track heat-related illnesses, but its future availability is uncertain after staffing cuts at the CDC in 2025. Underfunding essential agencies like NOAA and NWS will ultimately cost lives and impose greater long-term costs on society. Congress must prioritize robust funding to ensure the public has access to the weather information and resources needed to prepare for and respond to intensifying heat waves driven by climate change.