Full Committee Markup

Good morning. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare recesses of the committee at any time, and I'd like to recognize our ranking member, Ms. Lofgren from California.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome the newest member of our committee, Congressman Christian Menefee, who was recently elected. He takes the seat caused by the death of our former member, Sylvester Turner. He's a distinguished representative, former attorney, county attorney in Harris County. We know that he will make a tremendous contribution to our committee, and we're happy to have him here. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I would yield back.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. Well, pursuant to committee rule, and we are delighted to have you here. Pursuant to committee rule 2(f) and House rule 11, recorded votes may be postponed. Today we meet to consider H.R. 7813, the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Thank you all for joining us for today's markup. We're here to consider H.R. 7813, the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, a bill that will strengthen and revitalize one of the most important public safety communication systems in the United States. For decades, the National Weather Service has carried out a mission that is both simple and profound: the protection of life and property. Accurate forecasts save lives, but only when the information reaches the people who need it and when they need it. Over several Congresses, this committee held hearings highlighting the importance of weather forecasting and the broader U.S. weather enterprise. Through these hearings, we received testimony from a wide range of experts and examined both the strengths and the shortcomings of our forecasting and warning systems. Our concern surfaced repeatedly: the gap between producing accurate forecasts and reliable communication of the critical warnings to local emergency managers and everyday citizens. Forecasting alone is not enough. And that is where NOAA Weather Radio plays a vital role. The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards network is comprised of more than 1,000 stations across all 50 states, covering approximately 95 percent of the U.S. population, including coastal and adjacent waterways. It remains an essential source of information for communities across the country, including districts like mine, where the network currently operates in Port Houston. When power fails, cell service drops, or internet connectivity disappears, NOAA Weather Radio often remains one of the last reliable ways to receive life-saving alerts. The tragic flooding at Camp Mystic in my home state of Texas on July 4 last year serves as a very painful reminder of why reliable warning systems matter. Even with substantial lead time for flood warnings, too many lives were lost when crucial information did not effectively reach those making evacuation decisions. Events like these underscore the need to improve how warnings are delivered and ensure the systems behind them are modern, resilient, and accessible. The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act addresses that need. This legislation will modernize critical technology by repairing or replacing aging and broken transmitters, digitizing broadcasts, and migrating certain operational functions to secure cloud-based systems. It also directs NOAA to consult with private sector partners and end users to ensure that next generation of weather radio remains efficient and reliable. Simply put, when it comes to life-saving alerts, anything short of complete and reliable coverage is just unacceptable. This bill also enhances flood warning capabilities by directing NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, to develop flash flood emergency standards for people living in high-risk flood zones. These communities deserve clearer information about rainfall intensity and how quickly that flood waters may rise. NOAA must also ensure that it has personnel needed to maintain a world-class weather forecasting operation. Staffing shortages at the National Weather Service have been a challenge for many decades. This bill addresses that issue by providing direct hire authority, allowing the agency to recruit and onboard essential scientists and forecasters much more quickly. With these tools, the NWS, National Weather Service, will be better positioned to fill critical roles and sustain the expertise required to deliver accurate and timely forecasts. That capability is also important for national security, as weather forecasting supports military operations, aviation, maritime commerce, and disaster response. Building on the strong foundation established by this committee through the Weather Act, the devastating Texas floods of 2025 made clear that further improvements are needed to ensure life-saving weather information reaches those tasked with safeguarding our communities. This legislation equips NOAA with the tools necessary to carry out its core mission and further enhances our nation's ability to protect lives and property through improved emergency preparedness. I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I look very much forward to working with Senator Cruz on advancing this bill and the broader Weather Act reauthorization package to ensure that communities like mine in Texas and communities across the United States are better prepared for severe weather and future tragedies that can be prevented. And now I'd like to recognize the ranking member for five minutes and appreciate her cooperation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I am excited that we are considering the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act today. As you've mentioned, the weather radio is a valued service that's used by Americans across the country. Countless lives and immeasurable property have been saved by the timely and accurate reporting provided by NOAA Weather Radio, and now we're going to modernize it and make it even more remarkable and accessible. This bill has been a long time in the making, and it will help the public prepare for all sorts of inclement weather as well as floods and other serious natural hazards. Just on Monday here in Washington, we had numerous storm systems that brought dangerous weather to some parts of the area. During these types of storms, NOAA Weather Radio provides life-saving warnings to alert people to take shelter. This is something that is critical for all areas of our country. In the district I represent, just a few years ago, we had widespread flooding from so-called atmospheric rivers that dumped huge amounts of rain in California. This led to a failure of a local levee, which caused devastating flooding to the community of Pajaro, which I represent. And as you've mentioned, Mr. Chairman, the flash floods in Central Texas, which tragically took at least 135 people's lives, many of them children, could perhaps have been prevented had this system been in place. Now, I support this bipartisan bill. I would be remiss, however, if I did not bring up that this bill is Republican-led, much like the Weather Act and the NASA reauthorization, making the third markup in a row without any Democratic member-led bills. So I know we work in a bipartisan way, and I'm hoping that since the last Democratic member-led bill was marked up last June, that we can work together to have some bipartisan Democratic member-led bills added to the agenda. I would note that we have in our audience today some first responders, and we welcome their presence here, and it's to give you better tools to do your job, and we're glad that you're here. I would just mention to our members that we've worked hard to get consensus on this bill, and also we have several amendments that have been offered from members on both sides of the aisle that I believe we've worked out so that there is no controversy about any of them either. And I would remind members that concise comments can be just as persuasive as lengthy ones. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Gentlewoman yields back. Other members are invited to submit opening statements into the record. And Mr. Van Epps, I think these gentlemen are from your state of the great state of Tennessee.

Yes, sir. And I've been told many times there would be no Texas without Tennessee, so we certainly want to recognize them. If you'd like to say something, you certainly may.

Yeah, thanks, Mr. Chairman. Is it, should I talk about the amendment now? Is that next?

No, no, not yet. Not yet.

Well, let me, let me just say too to the, the team that's here, we just, just appreciate that so much. We just had a great meeting, and, and I said that this is an exceptional committee, and this, the work that we're doing today is important to first responders, and please come and join and see how, how this is all done. And they are truly amazing representatives from, from Tennessee who are at the, the tip of the spear in protecting our community. So thank you, gentlemen, so much for being here. Appreciate it a lot.

All right, thank you very much. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 7813, the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act. The clerk will report the bill.

H.R. 7813. A bill to amend the Weather Research and Forecasting...

Without objection, the bill is considered as read and open for amendment at any point. And if any member wishes to be recognized to speak on the underlying bill, I would like to recognize our, our new member, Representative Menefee.

I can yield to Ms. Ross.

No, no, no. We'll let you go first.

That's what happens when you're new. All right. Well, that's good. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I support the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, and my district knows exactly why this matters. I represent parts of Houston, Texas. My constituents know all too well what dangerous weather looks like. Hurricane Harvey swept down just a few years ago and dropped more than 50 inches of rain on us in four days. We've had 500-year storm after 500-year storm. And I think about my own experience, being trapped in a car with my father as the floodwaters raced through, and it was only because of his experience in the United States Coast Guard that we were able to make it out of that vehicle. So many people throughout our communities have a similar story where they've lost their property, their stability, and sometimes their lives. I think about the people who drowned in their cars because the waters rose. The people who saw the water racing faster than anyone could get to them. I think about my neighbors who lost their lives trying to save others. Those people deserved every possible second of warning. And that's what this bill's about. This is not ancient history. Right now, forecasters are warning of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across Southeast Texas. Houston is already under a severe weather risk. In a place where heavy rain and flash flooding are a regular part of life, every minute of warning matters. The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act builds out and upgrades a nationwide weather alert network that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The network is built to stay on when the power goes out and when cell service goes down. This bill adds more transmitters, expands coverage for underserved communities, and creates satellite and internet-based backup options. For Houston, this is not nice to have. This is life and death. I'm talking about the families in my district whose loved ones depend on oxygen machines. The seniors who rely on breathing equipment at night. The diabetics who need their insulin refrigerated. When the power goes out and the warnings stop, those are the people who pay the price. Early warnings save lives. Reliable communication saves lives. Resilient infrastructure saves lives. This is a common sense, bipartisan bill, and I'm proud to support it, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, and Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

That's what happens when you're new. All right. Well, that's good. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I support the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, and my district knows exactly why this matters. I represent parts of Houston, Texas. My constituents know all too well what dangerous weather looks like. Hurricane Harvey swept down just a few years ago and dropped more than 50 inches of rain on us in four days. We've had 500-year storm after 500-year storm. And I think about my own experience, being trapped in a car with my father as the floodwaters raced through, and it was only because of his experience in the United States Coast Guard that we were able to make it out of that vehicle. So many people throughout our communities have a similar story where they've lost their property, their stability, and sometimes their lives. I think about the people who drowned in their cars because the waters rose. The people who saw the water racing faster than anyone could get to them. I think about my neighbors who lost their lives trying to save others. Those people deserved every possible second of warning. And that's what this bill's about. This is not ancient history. Right now, forecasters are warning of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across Southeast Texas. Houston is already under a severe weather risk. In a place where heavy rain and flash flooding are a regular part of life, every minute of warning matters. The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act builds out and upgrades a nationwide weather alert network that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The network is built to stay on when the power goes out and when cell service goes down. This bill adds more transmitters, expands coverage for underserved communities, and creates satellite and internet-based backup options. For Houston, this is not nice to have. This is life and death. I'm talking about the families in my district whose loved ones depend on oxygen machines. The seniors who rely on breathing equipment at night. The diabetics who need their insulin refrigerated. When the power goes out and the warnings stop, those are the people who pay the price. Early warnings save lives. Reliable communication saves lives. Resilient infrastructure saves lives. This is a common sense, bipartisan bill, and I'm proud to support it, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, and Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

Gentleman yields. Anyone else wish on the Republican side? Then I'd like to recognize the gentlewoman from North Carolina, Ms. Ross.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I also am pleased to speak in support of the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act. This bill will play an important role in improving how we warn Americans about hazardous weather to ensure lives are saved and not lost. At a time when we have seen devastating weather events in Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, displacing families, damaging infrastructure, and costing lives, we're reminded of how necessary and non-negotiable our emergency communication networks are. This legislation ensures that we build upon current National Weather Radio infrastructure. The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act expands coverage of the weather radio network and ensures that NOAA and the National Weather Service have the staff on hand to carry out this critical work. North Carolina faces severe weather events throughout the year, from the coast to the mountains. In September of 2024, Western North Carolina experienced firsthand how important the NOAA Weather Radio system is. When their power, television, and cell service cut out during Hurricane Helene, the NOAA Weather Radio was there to provide critical updates and warnings to people in danger. And very importantly, to combat disinformation about what was going on during one of the worst disasters in 100 years in Western North Carolina. When we invest in this infrastructure, we save lives and livelihoods. If the U.S. fails to reform the weather radio network and continues to cut the workforce of NOAA and the National Weather Service, we will be needlessly risking lives and sacrifice valuable institutional knowledge. I urge my colleagues to speak out against federal funding cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service because each dollar that's stripped away from these agencies removes safeguards for our constituents who may be in harm's way. I support the underlying bill and urge my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back.

The gentlewoman yields. I now recognize the gentlewoman from Oregon, Ms. Bonamici. Gentlewoman yields.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the ranking member, and I just want to say a few words in support of the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act. I've worked on the underlying bill, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act, since probably back to 2013 or so, and I'm very grateful that this has bipartisan support as did that bill. NOAA is especially important in the district I represent in Northwest Oregon. We have the Cascadia subduction zone off the coast and tsunami warnings are incredibly important to the district. I'm grateful that this bill and the amendments appear to be very bipartisan. I just want to strongly encourage bipartisan support as well for NOAA appropriations so NOAA has the resources it needs and the staff it needs to do all of the important work it does to keep our communities safe. Grateful again for this bipartisan bill and I yield back.

Representative yields back. If there's no further discussion on the underlying bill, we will now proceed with amendments in the order listed on the roster. The first amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Van Epps of Tennessee. The clerk shall report Van Epps' amendment 002.

Amendment to H.R. 7813, offered by Mr. Van Epps of Tennessee.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I recognize Representative Van Epps of Tennessee for five minutes to explain his amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Similar to the deadly floods in the Texas Hill Country in July 2025, Tennessee's 7th District experienced catastrophic flooding in August 2021 that tragically claimed the lives of 20 Tennesseans in Humphreys County. The 2021 floods also damaged key communication infrastructure, leaving the NOAA weather radio transmitter in the county as an essential channel for weather alerts. This bill takes an important step in the right direction. Improving NOAA's outdated weather radio equipment and expanding coverage to rural communities where severe weather events disrupt access to timely weather alerts. My amendment ensures NOAA's weather radio modernization prioritizes areas at elevated risk of severe weather. The amendment focuses on the maintenance of NOAA's weather radio transmitters in areas where catastrophic weather events are common and directs the Under Secretary to establish minimum continuity of service standards for these transmitters. It also amends the assessment of critical staffing at the National Weather Service to consider the vacancies at weather forecast offices and center weather service units that are at highest risk of severe weather events. NOAA generally broadcasts alerts at the county level, but major weather events typically occur in smaller portions of a county. NOAA has taken steps to target alert messaging to at-risk populations through its partial county alerting initiative, and my amendment seeks to expand the research and development of this program to weather forecast offices across the country. By passing this amendment, we make it clearer that the Under Secretary should prioritize high-risk communities first, ensuring Americans receive reliable, timely warnings when it matters most. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.

Gentleman yields. I'd like to recognize the ranking member, Ms. Lofgren.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We thank Mr. Van Epps for this amendment to ensure that the NOAA's weather radio capabilities are expanded to specifically include areas that experience an elevated risk of severe weather events. We support this amendment and I yield back the balance of my time.

The gentlewoman yields. I'd like to recognize myself. Thank you, Congressman Van Epps, for offering this thoughtful and valuable amendment to this legislation. The language in this amendment ensures that NOAA's modernization efforts are particularly sensitive to geographic areas that are most at risk from severe weather. Our nation relies on NOAA weather radio as a life-saving tool, especially in remote areas. It sometimes serves as the only channel between forecasters and those facing imminent harm to lives and property. Prioritizing high-risk communities helps us use our taxpayer dollars wisely while strengthening public safety. I support this amendment and encourage its adoption. Any further discussion on this amendment? Hearing none, all those in favor, we will the question is on the adoption of the Van Epps amendment 002. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Those opposed, say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted. We're going to skip over to the Foushee amendment 041 on the roster as offered by Ms. Foushee of North Carolina. The clerk shall report Foushee amendment 041.

Amendment to H.R. 7813, offered by Ms. Foushee of North Carolina.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Foushee of North Carolina for five minutes to explain her amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word. My amendment ensures that the dedicated and hard-working civil servants at NOAA and the National Weather Service have a voice in the modernization initiatives authorized in this bill by including consultation with employees and employee representatives throughout the implementation process. This is important for many reasons, none more than the way we have seen this administration treat federal employees and the scientific workforce. This includes actions affecting the Office of Research and Development at EPA in my district and others across the country. Without involving employees in major decisions like those contemplated in this bill, both the workforce and the quality of their work could suffer. Ultimately weakening the mission of these agencies. My amendment helps ensure that these voices have a seat at the table and that these workers' voices are represented. Chair Babin, I want to express my gratitude for your leadership and collaboration, including for the work of your staff in working with mine to come to agreement on this language. I hope you will commit to working with me during conference with the Senate to ensure that this language remains intact in the final bill and that federal employee voices are included throughout this modernization process. I thank the chair again and ranking member for their leadership and I urge my colleagues to support this common sense amendment to ensure that those closest to the mission are part of its implementation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.

Thank you. The gentlewoman yields. Ms. Lofgren, would you like to speak on that?

I'll just say that I think we've worked out the language on this and so far as I'm aware, everybody on both sides of the aisle is satisfied.

Absolutely. And I want to also note that I support the Congresswoman's amendment. It encourages NOAA to consult with its employees as the agency carries out the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization plans. The workforce that maintains this system has invaluable operational knowledge and that perspective will help ensure a smoother, more effective transition to the updated platform. I believe its inclusion signals the trust that we have in the experts at our National Weather Service who work to help keep us all safe. I support this amendment. Anyone else wish to speak on this amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, the question is on the adoption of the Foushee amendment 041. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Those opposed, say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. The next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Webster of Florida. The clerk shall report Webster amendment 033.

Amendment to H.R. 7813, offered by Mr. Webster of Florida.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I recognize Representative Webster of Florida for five minutes to explain the amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate that. My amendment prohibits the purpose of purchase of equipment for upgrades for the NOAA weather radio for companies or entities based in the foreign country of concern, such as China. And this ensures national security is protected while we modernize our weather alert system. Urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Yield back.

Thank you, gentleman yields. I now recognize the ranking member, Ms. Lofgren.

Thank you. I want to thank Mr. Webster for his amendment. I must be clear that I reserve certain concerns that this type of one-off rule restricting Chinese-made technologies could prove to be unmanageable. However, we sought technical assistance from NOAA and they indicated that the agency has no concerns with this amendment or the requirement. So on their word, I will support this amendment and I yield back the balance of my time.

Gentlewoman yields, thank you. And I'd like to express support for Mr. Webster's amendment as well, which prohibits NOAA from purchasing equipment for the purpose of modernizing weather radio from companies based in foreign countries of concern. NOAA weather radio is the backbone of our national readiness, broadcasting not only emergency weather warnings and watches, but also geological hazards such as earthquakes and landslides and other non-weather hazardous information. To guarantee the safety of all Americans, it is critical that we ensure its components are sourced only from trusted partners. This amendment reinforces our security posture and protects against vulnerabilities in the supply chain. I believe this is a prudent safeguard and I support its inclusion in the bill. Is there further discussion on this amendment? Seeing none, the question is on adoption of Webster amendment 033. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed, no. The ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. We'll go to the second Webster amendment. Next amendment on the roster is the amendment offered by Representative Webster of Florida as well. The clerk shall report Webster amendment 034.

Amendment to H.R. 7813, offered by Mr. Webster of Florida.

Without objection, the amendment is considered as read and I now recognize Representative Webster of Florida for five minutes to explain his amendment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment clarifies that the report to Congress must indicate whether the standards used were developed through a voluntary consensus-based method. This will help ensure the United States, not Beijing, remains the global leader by advancing consensus-based standards that allow American innovation to thrive and put our country first. Urge my colleagues to support the amendment. I yield back.

Gentleman yields. Any further discussion on the amendment? I would like... we have one down here.

I'll just say that we want to thank Mr. Webster for the amendment that does fine-tune the bill's reporting requirements and we support it.

Absolutely, thank you. And I'd like to also support this amendment. The language requires NOAA to report to Congress whether the standards used were developed through a voluntary consensus-based method. Such clarity helps Congress evaluate the modernization effort and ensures the use of best practice standards, and this is a good governance amendment. I appreciate the gentleman's amendment and support its passage. If there's no further discussion on the amendment, I don't think there is, the question is on the adoption of Webster Amendment 034. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All those opposed say no. Hearing none, the ayes have it, the amendment is adopted. All right. There are no additional amendments on the amendment roster. Are there any further amendments coming from the floor? Hearing none, a reporting quorum being present, I move that the committee report H.R. 7813, the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. The question is on favorably reporting H.R. 7813, as amended, to the House. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it, the bill as amended is ordered favorably reported, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Without objection, I ask that staff be authorized to make any necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill. So ordered. Members will have two calendar days to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views on these measures. And so with no further business before the committee, this committee stands adjourned. Thank you.