At a Senate Commerce Committee executive session in Washington, D.C., Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) addressed the need for improved weather warning systems following recent catastrophic events. Cruz pointed to the flash flooding in Texas that resulted in over 130 deaths as an example of why better emergency notification is necessary, especially for those in areas with limited cell service.
Cruz announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at modernizing weather warning systems and extending coverage nationwide. He stated, “Weeks ago, Texas was hit with catastrophic flash flooding that claimed over 130 lives. It was a sobering reminder of man’s fragility in the face of Mother Nature—and of the need to prepare for the next storm. Just last night, tsunami alerts were issued across the Pacific following a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia. The employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service play a critical role in forecasting and emergency notification for these rapid-onset events.”
He added that he believes Neil Jacobs, nominated as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere—the head of NOAA—along with Taylor Jordan, also up for a key NOAA position, will strengthen response systems during disasters. “My hope is that they’ll have more resources at their disposal: Ranking Member Cantwell and I will soon introduce legislation to modernize NOAA weather radio warning systems and ensure that every American, especially those in areas with poor cell service, aren’t left in the dark when it matters the most,” said Cruz.
The committee also considered nominees for roles at both the Departments of Commerce and Transportation. Cruz noted that these nominees bring experience intended to improve transportation safety, advance new technologies, and support American supply chains.
Among legislative items discussed was Cruz’s bipartisan Space Exploration Research Act. According to Cruz: “Finally, we’re marking up the Space Exploration Research Act. This bill authorizes NASA centers to sign agreements with states, universities, or nonprofits to develop unused facilities for space research. This helps not just the Johnson Space Center in Texas, but all NASA centers, including New Mexico’s White Sands Test Facility, Mississippi’s Stennis Space Center, Ohio’s Glenn Research Center, and West Virginia’s Katherine Johnson Facility.” The bill seeks to promote education and development within America’s space workforce.
Other bills under consideration included measures on advanced manufacturing competitiveness through alignment between federal programs such as Manufacturing USA Program and national strategies focused on this sector.
Additionally discussed was the SHARKED Act—a proposal designed to address shark depredation impacting fishermen by establishing a task force tasked with developing solutions so anglers can land catches before sharks interfere.
Cruz informed senators about adjustments to their agenda: “For the information of senators, there are a few changes to today’s markup agenda. We will no longer be moving the Traveler Privacy Protection Act from Senators Merkley and Kennedy. This bill is designed to put guardrails on TSA and stop another government agency from potentially collecting sensitive personal information about American citizens. My understanding is that some members want additional information about the bill, so we’ll keep working on it later.”
Concluding his remarks on time constraints due to other appointments and roll call votes planned for the day: “I know many of you have other markups and appointments, and we have a lot of roll call votes planned for today. Given attendance, I don’t expect to get through all of the nominees, so we’re going to split this up. I expect we have time to get through six or seven of our nominees today.”
