In an incredible act against science, the House of Representatives voted to make deep cuts to essential NOAA programs. During a time when global warming and increasing Hurricane activity pose enormous threats to our nation. House Republicans have decided to take a stand against the future of our nation and
our planet.
June 29, 2006 -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill today that would cut approximately $500 million from the budget of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in fiscal year 2007.
The massive budget cut passed the House of Representatives less than one year after NOAA was widely praised for its success in forecasting hurricane Katrina and protecting thousands of people from death or injury. According
to NOAA, the House bill would fail to fund day-to-day operations of the agency's aircraft, which are the nation's first line of defense for monitoring and forecasting hurricanes and tropical storms.
More below the fold.
Just some of the programs that would be deeply cut:
- Millions in research grants. One such grant would affect Hurricane Buoys, vital for prediction of landfalling Hurricanes.
- The National Ocean Service would see a devastating 46% cut (277 million). Which overseas programs ranging from responding to chemical spills, to mapping and charting the oceans. Just take a look at all the important programs they conduct.
- One of the largest cuts is also aimed at Protected Species. It will receive a cut of 36.9m or around 25%. Marine Mammals, Turtles and Marine protected species would be severely affected.
- Fisheries also take a considerable hit. The Alaska Composite Research is slashed from requested 36.4m to 20m. The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund is nearly axed, being reduced to 1/3 of it's funding level (20m). At this level NOAA will not be able to comply with the Endangered Species Act and recovery efforts will be seriously jepordized.
- The Space Environmental Center, which monitors solar flares and provides warnings and forecasts will be cut
by 2.4M. At this level our nation can no longer expect advanced warning of dangerous solar storms that can affect communications and transportation.
- One of the most critical elements of Hurricane forecasting is having aircraft that can penetrate and study the Hurricane. The house bill falls 4.6M short of even President Bush's cheap request for 129.9M. This could also cause a delay in the development of advanced computer models to predict Hurricane intensity.
- House Republicans have practically eliminated the rent for The National Weather Center, in Norman Oklahoma. In response NOAA will have to cut up to 12 tornado/severe storm researchers from the National Severe Storms Laboratory/CIMMS.
There is much more, read the impact report: http://www.friendsofnoaa.org/...
This is an incredible attack on our scientific institutions at a time of great need for science. This budget resolution passed with only Republican support, so let's take the fight into the Senate and send a clear message.
The NOAA Budget will be taken up by the Senate Appropriations committee next week.
GIVE THEM A CALL AND TELL THEM TO FULLY FUND NOAA.
Senate Appropriations Committee:
Republicans:
Thad Cochran, MS, Chairman
Fax: 202-224-9450
Phone: 202-224-5054
Ted Stevens, AK (Mention the Fisheries program)
Fax 202-224-2354
Phone: 202-224-3004
Arlen Specter, PA
Fax 202-224-4254
Phone: 202-224-4254
Pete V. Domenici, NM
Fax 202-228-0900
Phone: 202-224-7074
Christopher S. Bond, MO
Fax 202-224-8149
Phone: 202-224-5721
Mitch McConnell, KY
Fax 202-224-2499
Phone: 202-224-2541
Conrad Burns, MT
Fax 202-224-8594
Phone: 202-224-2644
Richard C. Shelby, AL
Fax 202-224-3416
Phone: 202-224-5744
Judd Gregg, NH
Fax 202-224-4952
Phone: 202-224-3324
Robert F. Bennett, UT
Fax 202-228-1168
Phone: 202-224-5444
Larry Craig, ID
Fax 202-228-1067
phone: 202-224-2752
Kay Bailey Hutchison, TX
Fax 202-224-0776
Phone: 202-224-5922
Mike DeWine, OH
Fax 202-224-6519
Phone: 202-224-6521
Sam Brownback, KS
Fax 202-228-1265
Phone; 202-224-6471
Wayne Allard, CO
Fax 202-224-5941
Phone: 202-224-5941
Democrats:
Robert C. Byrd, WV (Ranking Member)
202-224-7292
Fax 202-228-0002
Daniel K. Inouye, HI
Fax 202-224-6747
Phone: 202-224-3934
Patrick J. Leahy, VT
Fax 202-224-3479
Phone: 202-224-4242
Tom Harkin, IA
Fax 202-224-9369
phone: 202-224-3254
Phone: 202-224-3254
Barbara A. Mikulski, MD
Fax 202-224-8858
Phone: 202-224-4654
Harry Reid, NV
Fax 202-224-7327
Phone: 202-224-3542
Herb Kohl, WI
Fax 202-224-9787
Phone: 202-224-5653
Patty Murray, WA
Fax 202-224-0238
Phone: 202-224-2621
Byron L. Dorgan, ND
Fax 202-224-1193
Phone: 202-224-2551
Dianne Feinstein, CA
Fax 202-226-3954
Phone: 202-224-3841
Richard J. Durbin, IL
Fax 202-228-0400
Phone: 202-224-2152
Tim Johnson, SD
Fax 202-228-5765
Phone: 202-224-5842
Mary L. Landrieu, LA
Fax 202-224-9735
Phone: 202-224-5824
If your senator isn't on the list, call them anyway. Please let me know if your senator pledges to support NOAA, I will keep a running count. Apparently, this is what Bush meant when he said he is solving global warming.