Neil Jacobs, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), stated that staffing the National Weather Service is a 'top priority' during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. However, he also affirmed his support for Trump's proposed 2026 budget, which includes a 27% funding cut for NOAA and the elimination of its research arm. This comes amidst questions about whether weather office vacancies contributed to the high death toll in recent Texas flash flooding, which killed at least 119 people.
Trump pick to head U.S. weather agency calls staffing a ‘top priority,’ while backing proposed budget cuts
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Neil Jacobs, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), stated that staffing the National Weather Service is a 'top priority' during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. However, he also affirmed his support for Trump's proposed 2026 budget, which includes a 27% funding cut for NOAA and the elimination of its research arm. This comes amidst questions about whether weather office vacancies contributed to the high death toll in recent Texas flash flooding, which killed at least 119 people.
Trending- 1 Early last Friday (July 4, 2025): Flash flooding begins along the Guadalupe River in Texas, leading to at least 119 deaths
- 2 Recently (before July 9, 2025): Five former National Weather Service directors write an open letter warning of the devastating effect of budget cuts
- 3 May (before July 9, 2025): Senator Jerry Moran convinces the Commerce Department to lift a hiring freeze for meteorologists
- 4 Wednesday (July 9, 2025): Neil Jacobs testifies at a Senate commerce committee hearing
- 5 Ongoing: Search continues along the Guadalupe River; Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requests an investigation into staffing shortages
- 6 2026: President Trump's proposed budget for NOAA, including a 27% funding cut
- Potential for continued understaffing and reduced services at National Weather Service offices
- Concerns about the accuracy of weather forecasts and public safety during natural disasters
- Calls for investigation into whether staffing shortages contributed to flood deaths
- Ongoing debate over federal budget priorities and the role of government agencies like FEMA
- Potential dismantling of NOAA's climate change research labs
What: Neil Jacobs, President Trump's nominee to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), stated that staffing the National Weather Service is a 'top priority' while simultaneously supporting President Trump's proposed 2026 budget, which includes a 27% funding cut for NOAA.
When: Jacobs made his comments on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) during a Senate commerce committee hearing. The Texas flash flooding began in the early hours of last Friday (July 4, 2025). Trump's proposed budget is for 2026.
Where: United States, specifically during a Senate commerce committee hearing. The flash flooding occurred along the Guadalupe River northwest of San Antonio, Texas. Other locations mentioned include Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Kansas.
Why: Jacobs's statements are part of his confirmation process for the NOAA administrator position. The budget cuts are proposed by President Trump. Concerns about staffing shortages at weather offices are linked to the high death toll in recent Texas flooding, prompting questions about the impact of budget cuts on public safety.
How: Jacobs expressed his views during a congressional committee hearing. The proposed budget cuts are part of the President's financial plan. The union representing weather service employees has highlighted existing vacancies, and Senate Democrats have called for an investigation into whether these shortages contributed to the flood deaths.