Louisiana Lawmakers Don’t Want Drastic Cuts at NOAA

In the country’s most hurricane-prone region, the extreme weather agency provides a service lawmakers from both parties consider essential.

NOAA specialists watch radar and infrared satellite imagery of a hurricane.

Andy Newman/AP

President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency are reportedly considering steep cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Lawmakers from Louisiana, a state that relies on NOAA to prepare for hurricanes and other extreme weather, say that would be a mistake.

“NOAA performs very, very important work for our country, and the core purpose of NOAA is something that we’re going to protect,” Republican Rep. Clay Higgins told NOTUS, calling NOAA’s work “pure science.”

Democrats and Republicans alike told NOTUS they believe in NOAA’s mission.