U.S. Congressman Max Miller, Congresswoman Val Hoyle Request Weather Technology Funding in Disaster Supplemental Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07), Congresswoman Val Hoyle (OR-04), and 22 other members of the House of Representatives wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and House Appropriators asking them to support additional funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) next-generation weather prediction systems. As weather events become increasingly severe, these systems will help NOAA create better forecasts before disasters strike. 

“Earlier this year, severe storms and tornados ripped through Northeast Ohio,” said Congressman Miller. “Changing weather patterns have increasingly affected our day-to-day lives, and we have seen the devastation caused by hurricanes, flooding, ice storms, and wildfires across the county. Our farmers have also been struck by some of the worst drought conditions in Ohio’s recent history. Funding for NOAA’s next-generation weather prediction systems in a disaster relief supplemental would be a positive step forward in ensuring more reliable forecasts in one of the most unpredictable aspects of life—the weather.”  

“This year, my home state of Oregon saw a devastating ice storm and a record-breaking wildfire season,” said Congresswoman Hoyle. “Those of us who live in these disaster-affected areas understand that extreme weather is becoming more common and severe, making accurate and timely information more important than ever. Investing in more accurate weather technology is central to helping communities like mine better prepare before disasters strike. I want to thank Congressman Miller for his partnership and all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, who recognize that NOAA and NWS are essential to the safety and security of communities like mine.” 

The forecasts and weather data gathered and prepared by NOAA and the National Weather Service (NWS) are shared with federal, state, and local partners, and media networks for weather forecasting. 

The House members are requesting more funding for the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and the NWS, along with community recovery funding. They request that these funds be included in any disaster supplemental funding agreement and as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. They also requested that the bipartisan Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023, which provides NOAA a long-term vision and direction, be passed into law through a supplemental package or any other legislative vehicle before the end of the year. 

In the letter Reps. Miller and Hoyle point to specific initiatives where funding would go, including advancements for clearer forecasting technology, AI integration, moving to cloud-based data storage, and further research into new radar technology.  

More information on specific programs and initiatives can be found in the full letter here. 

Editor’s note regarding Congressman Miller:   

Congressman Max Miller represents Ohio’s Seventh District which includes Medina and Wayne counties as well as parts of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties. Miller serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for which he is also Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. The Republican freshman members selected Miller as their representative to the Republican Steering Committee.  He is a member of the Republican Study Committee and the Main Street Caucus. Before joining Congress, Miller spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and served in several senior positions for President Donald Trump. Please visit http://maxmiller.house.gov for more information.    

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