Democrats Urge Halt to NOAA Budget Cuts Ahead of Looming Hurricane Season

• NOAA Budget Cuts Threaten Climate Forecasting
• Democrats Oppose Trump’s Proposal
• NOAA Faces Budget Crisis

According to EFE, just days before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, Democratic lawmakers have raised alarms over the Trump administration’s proposal to slash funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

From the House of Representatives, lawmakers from Florida, Colorado, Missouri, and Illinois introduced an amendment to block nearly $1.5 billion in cuts to the federal climate agency.

The proposal, pushed by President Donald Trump, would reduce NOAA’s current budget by almost 30%, at a time when the agency is preparing to release its official hurricane forecasts for the 2025 season.

Florida Congressman Jared Moskowitz is leading efforts to amend the GOP-backed fiscal plan.

NOAA and the Critical Role of Forecasting

“The hurricane season begins in just 11 days, and we cannot allow NOAA to face this threat with fewer resources,” Moskowitz said in a statement.

The lawmaker argued that slashing climate forecasting funds doesn’t improve government efficiency—it puts lives at greater risk.

NOAA and its National Weather Service play a critical role in storm monitoring, forecast modeling, and issuing early warnings to help reduce disaster impact.

President Trump, however, remains committed to his fiscal austerity plans, despite resistance from some Republicans in the House.

NOAA Faces Workforce Cuts

Despite a recent meeting between Trump and party legislators, no consensus has been reached on approving the controversial budget.

Since March, the administration has requested a revised NOAA plan that includes the elimination of 1,000 jobs, representing about 20% of the agency’s workforce.

Experts warn that such a reduction would seriously compromise the agency’s ability to forecast hurricanes, severe storms, and flooding events.

Florida—one of the states most vulnerable to tropical cyclones—is at the heart of the debate over what a weakened NOAA could mean.

Climate Vulnerability and Latino Communities

Lindsay Cross, a state legislator from Florida, warned that these budget cuts to NOAA threaten national forecasting and emergency response systems.

“These services are critical to saving lives and minimizing damage,” Cross said, warning of the dangers of dismantling key infrastructure amid a changing climate.

Environmental organizations have also expressed concern over the disproportionate effects such cuts could have on vulnerable populations.

A recent report by Climate Power En Acción revealed that thousands of Latino families would be left unprotected in the face of natural disasters if prevention infrastructure is weakened.

Underfunded Hurricane Season Could Exacerbate Inequality

“The cuts don’t just eliminate jobs—they worsen inequality by stripping the most exposed populations of protective tools,” the report states.

Many Latino families live in coastal or low-income areas—zones that are often hardest hit by hurricanes and storms.

Despite mounting warnings, the legislative outlook is bleak for Democrats.

With both chambers of Congress controlled by Republicans, the amendment proposed by Moskowitz and his colleagues is unlikely to move forward.

NOAA Faces Most Challenging Season Yet

Still, Democrats continue to shine a light on how the federal government’s fiscal choices are jeopardizing public safety.

NOAA is set to release its official hurricane forecast this Thursday, possibly heading into its most demanding season yet without sufficient resources.

Political pressure is rising as the country prepares for what could be an especially active year for cyclones.

Experts warn that climate change is intensifying both the frequency and strength of hurricanes, making accurate data and timely alerts more critical than ever.