Congressman Jim Bridenstine Secures Funding for Weather Research

Statement

Today, Congressman Jim Bridenstine's (OK-01) weather research amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly, 340 to 71. Bridenstine's amendment does not add a penny to the budget or the debt, but transfers $12 million from the Census Bureau to Weather Research within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The funding level for weather forecasting research is now closer in line with the levels authorized in Congressman Bridenstine's bipartisan, House-passed Weather Forecasting Improvement Act (HR 2413).

"We know that technology exists to give the American people ample warning when severe weather is about to hit," Bridenstine commented. "Last May we had 34 tornado-related deaths in Oklahoma and 268 nationally. This amendment brings us closer to the day when we have zero deaths from severe storms including tornadoes. I appreciate my colleagues' overwhelming, bipartisan support on this issue.

"Specifically, this funding will go toward Weather Labs and Cooperative Institutes, which is used to support research at the National Severe Storms Laboratory at the University of Oklahoma. This amendment is fiscally responsible, represents a significant first step toward restoring America's leadership in the critical field of weather forecasting and, most importantly, will save lives in Oklahoma and throughout the United States."

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