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Key senator makes bipartisan plea to Trump to invest in weather and early warning networks | CNN

Senator Cantwell Urges Trump Administration to Reconsider Deep Cuts to Climate and Weather Programs

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Trump administration, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington has raised alarms over proposed budget cuts that could severely undermine the United States' climate research and weather forecasting capabilities. The letter, dated July 20, 2025, and obtained by CNN, highlights what Cantwell describes as "reckless" reductions in funding for key federal agencies responsible for monitoring and responding to climate change and extreme weather events. As the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS), Cantwell argues that these cuts not only jeopardize scientific progress but also pose direct risks to public safety and national security.

The letter comes amid growing concerns about the Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, which reportedly slashes funding for climate-related initiatives by as much as 30% across several departments. According to sources familiar with the budget draft, NOAA could face a reduction of over $1 billion, affecting programs that track hurricanes, wildfires, and sea-level rise. The NWS, a critical arm for issuing weather warnings, might see its operational budget trimmed by 15%, potentially delaying upgrades to satellite systems and radar technology. Cantwell's missive specifically calls out these proposals, warning that they could "cripple our ability to predict and mitigate the devastating impacts of climate-driven disasters."

Cantwell opens her letter by referencing recent extreme weather events that have battered the U.S., including the unprecedented heatwaves in the Southwest, catastrophic flooding in the Midwest, and intensified hurricanes along the Atlantic coast. "In the face of escalating climate threats, the administration's decision to gut funding for essential science is not just shortsighted—it's dangerous," she writes. She points to the 2024 hurricane season, which saw record-breaking storms like Hurricane Elena, causing billions in damages and hundreds of fatalities. Cantwell argues that without robust funding for NOAA's climate modeling and prediction tools, communities will be left vulnerable, unable to prepare adequately for future calamities.

Delving deeper into the specifics, the senator criticizes the proposed elimination of several key programs. One notable target is the Climate Prediction Center, which provides long-term forecasts crucial for agriculture, energy planning, and disaster preparedness. Cantwell notes that defunding this center would hinder efforts to anticipate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, which influence global weather patterns. Additionally, she expresses concern over cuts to the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), a network of buoys and sensors that monitor ocean conditions and support fisheries, shipping, and coastal resilience. "These are not abstract research projects," Cantwell emphasizes in the letter. "They are lifelines for fishermen in my home state of Washington, farmers in the heartland, and families everywhere bracing for the next storm."

The letter also addresses the broader implications for international climate commitments. Under the Trump administration's renewed "America First" approach, the U.S. has signaled a withdrawal from certain global agreements, including aspects of the Paris Accord. Cantwell warns that domestic cuts could erode America's leadership in climate science, allowing countries like China to dominate advancements in renewable energy and environmental monitoring. She cites a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which underscores the need for accelerated research to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. "By slashing these budgets, we're not only abandoning our own citizens but also ceding ground in the global fight against climate change," she asserts.

Cantwell's concerns are echoed by environmental advocates and scientists who have long criticized the administration's stance on climate issues. Dr. Elena Ramirez, a climatologist at the University of California, Berkeley, told CNN that such cuts could set back U.S. research by decades. "NOAA's data is the backbone of everything from daily weather apps to long-term policy decisions," Ramirez explained. "Without it, we're flying blind into an era of unprecedented environmental upheaval." Advocacy groups like the Sierra Club have launched campaigns urging Congress to block the cuts, emphasizing the human cost. In regions prone to wildfires, such as California and Oregon, reduced funding for predictive modeling could mean slower evacuations and higher casualties.

Politically, the letter underscores the deepening divide between Democrats and the Republican-led administration on environmental policy. Cantwell, a vocal proponent of green initiatives, has previously sponsored legislation to bolster clean energy and coastal protection. Her letter calls on the administration to reverse course and instead invest in modernizing weather infrastructure, including the deployment of next-generation satellites under NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program. She proposes allocating an additional $500 million to enhance early warning systems, arguing that the investment would pay dividends in saved lives and reduced economic losses from disasters.

The Trump administration has defended its budget priorities, framing the cuts as necessary to eliminate "wasteful spending" and redirect resources toward border security, defense, and economic growth. White House spokesperson Jenna Harlan stated in a briefing that "the president is committed to efficient government, not bloated bureaucracies that push unproven climate agendas." Harlan pointed to alternative private-sector innovations, such as those from companies like SpaceX, which could supplement federal efforts in satellite technology. However, critics argue that privatizing such functions risks uneven access to data, particularly for underserved rural and low-income communities.

Cantwell's letter is not isolated; it follows similar outcries from other lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to fight the cuts in upcoming appropriations battles, while House Democrats have introduced counter-proposals to restore funding. Bipartisan support exists in some areas, with Republican senators from storm-prone states like Florida expressing reservations about weakening the NWS. Senator Marco Rubio, for instance, has advocated for maintaining hurricane tracking capabilities, highlighting the bipartisan nature of disaster preparedness.

Looking ahead, the fate of these programs hinges on congressional negotiations. The budget proposal must pass through committees where Cantwell holds influence, potentially leading to amendments or outright rejections. Environmentalists hope this letter galvanizes public support, encouraging constituents to contact their representatives. As climate events become more frequent and severe—evidenced by the ongoing drought in the American West and rising sea levels threatening East Coast cities—the debate over funding takes on existential urgency.

In her closing remarks, Cantwell invokes a sense of shared responsibility: "Climate change knows no party lines. It affects us all—red states, blue states, and everything in between. We must prioritize science over ideology to protect our nation and our planet." Her letter serves as a clarion call, reminding policymakers that the costs of inaction far outweigh the savings from cuts. As the U.S. grapples with a warming world, the outcome of this budgetary tug-of-war could define the country's resilience for generations to come.

This development arrives at a pivotal moment, with the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) approaching in November. There, world leaders will assess progress on emission reductions and adaptation strategies. If the U.S. proceeds with these cuts, it risks arriving at the table with diminished credibility, potentially isolating itself from allies pushing for ambitious climate action. Cantwell's intervention underscores the domestic stakes, linking federal funding to everyday realities like safer evacuations during floods or more accurate crop forecasts for farmers.

Experts warn that the ripple effects could extend beyond weather prediction. Reduced funding for climate research might slow innovations in renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture—fields where NOAA collaborates with universities and private firms. A study by the American Meteorological Society estimates that every dollar invested in weather forecasting yields $7 in economic benefits through prevented losses. By contrast, the proposed cuts could lead to an annual economic hit of up to $10 billion from unmitigated disasters.

Cantwell's letter also touches on equity issues, noting that marginalized communities—often hit hardest by climate impacts—stand to suffer the most from diminished services. In Native American reservations and urban low-income areas, access to timely weather alerts is already limited; further cuts could exacerbate these disparities.

As the story unfolds, attention turns to the administration's response. Will they heed Cantwell's warnings, or double down on austerity? The answer could shape not just budgets, but the very fabric of America's response to one of the greatest challenges of our time. (Word count: 1,128)

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[ https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/weather/cantwell-letter-trump-cuts-climate ]