Sen. Schatz to Fight NOAA Funding Cuts

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement after a Washington Post report revealed that the Trump Administration plans to make deep cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“I am shocked by reports of a proposal to cut the agency that forecasts our weather and manages our fisheries by almost a billion dollars—close to 20% of its budget. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration saves lives from hurricanes, tornados and floods; keeps fisheries healthy so we can have salmon, shrimp and other seafood; and supports science education so that our kids can have good jobs managing our oceans and coasts. These services are critical to the American people. I hope these reports are untrue, but if proven accurate, I will fight as hard as I can to protect NOAA’s funding.”