President Donald Trump’s nominee to head NOAA pledged Wednesday to fully staff the National Weather Service, after catastrophic Texas floods triggered a new wave of criticism over the president’s deep cuts across government.
Administration critics have wondered whether efforts to reduce the federal workforce and eliminate programs affected the government’s ability to warn residents. The death toll in Texas has surpassed 100 people.
“If confirmed, I want to ensure that staffing weather service offices is a top priority,” Neil Jacobs told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
“It’s really important for the people to be there, because they have relationships with people in the local community,” he said. “They’re a trusted source.”
