Key Takeaways
• Lawmakers from both parties oppose cuts to NCAR funding.
• Eighty members of Congress signed a letter defending NCAR.
• NCAR’s research helps predict floods, fires, and storms.
• Blocking the budget bill also halts a plan to move Space Command.
• Colorado’s entire delegation, even Trump allies, stand against cuts.
The plan to cut NCAR funding has sparked an unexpected fight. Republicans and Democrats joined forces to protect the National Center for Atmospheric Research. They sent a strong letter to Congress. They want the center to keep its budget. NCAR studies weather risks like fires and floods. Its work helps families, farmers, and communities prepare for storms.
Why NCAR funding matters
NCAR funding supports vital weather research. Scientists study how heat, rain, and wind create floods and wildfires. They run supercomputers to predict storms days in advance. This warning time can save lives. It also helps farmers plan when to plant and harvest crops. Without enough money, NCAR may lose staff or cut projects. In turn, weather warnings could weaken. That risk could cost lives and damage property.
Moreover, NCAR helps the United States lead in climate science. Its findings shape safety plans for cities and states. They guide policies on water use and fire prevention. In a changing climate, this work grows more crucial each year. Therefore, ensuring stable NCAR funding is like investing in our security and economy.
Lawmakers unite to save NCAR
On Monday, a bipartisan group of 80 lawmakers signed a letter. It asked budget leaders to keep NCAR funding strong. Three Republican representatives joined the effort: Jeff Hurd, Jay Obernolte, and Brian Fitzpatrick. They stood alongside Democrat Joe Neguse and Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper. They all represent Colorado or care about its research labs.
Representative Jeff Hurd spoke for many when he said cutting NCAR makes no sense. He stressed that scientists there save lives by forecasting storms. He also noted that farmers rely on their data to plan their seasons. Hurd praised NCAR’s role in keeping America ahead globally. He added that supporting NCAR is a smart investment, not something to abandon.
This show of support came after the White House budget office proposed dismantling NCAR. Its director called NCAR a major source of “climate alarmism.” He promised to move key tasks to other agencies. Yet lawmakers fear this shift could break important research programs. They worry expertise and specialized tools might vanish.
Budget battles and broader impact
Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper used a bold move to defend NCAR funding. They blocked a “minibus” spending bill meant to prevent a government shutdown. This bill combined several smaller funding packages. It would have kept agencies open past January. But without NCAR funding secured, they refused to pass it.
Therefore, the fight over NCAR funding may shape the entire budget outcome. If Congress fails to act, a shutdown looms at the end of the month. That risks halting many services, including weather forecasts and park operations. Blocking the minibus package forces more negotiations. It pushes leaders to address NCAR now.
Meanwhile, environmental groups and local businesses in Boulder join the call. They point out that NCAR brings jobs and tourists to Colorado. The lab hosts workshops, training programs, and conferences. This activity fuels hotels, restaurants, and shuttle services. Losing NCAR or its funding could hurt the local economy.
Colorado fights back on Space Command move
As if NCAR funding were not enough, Colorado faces another federal decision. The Trump administration plans to relocate U.S. Space Command from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. That plan started in his first term but stalled. Now it gains new momentum. Yet Colorado’s entire congressional delegation, including a pro-Trump member, opposes the move.
Representative Lauren Boebert joined Democrats Bennet and Hickenlooper in protesting this shift. She said keeping high-tech jobs in Colorado boosts national defense and local economies. She noted that Space Command benefits from nearby aerospace firms and skilled workers. Moving it could disrupt critical missions and slow military innovation.
In short, Colorado lawmakers see a pattern. They fear the federal government is abandoning key science and defense hubs. They argue that NCAR funding and Space Command jobs deserve full support. They see bipartisan unity as the best way to protect their state’s interests.
What happens next
For now, Congress faces tough choices. They can restore NCAR funding in the next spending bill. Or they can risk a broken weather research system. They must also decide on Space Command’s final home. Both issues have strong local and national importance.
If NCAR funding stays, the center can continue crucial studies on wildfires, floods, and severe storms. It can maintain its supercomputers and expert teams. That helps communities prepare and respond. It also keeps the U.S. at the forefront of climate science.
On the other hand, failing to secure funding could slow research progress. It may drive top scientists to other countries or private firms. The loss of talent would make America less prepared for extreme weather.
Meanwhile, the Space Command battle highlights how federal decisions affect local economies. Whether jobs stay or go, the outcome will shape regional growth for years.
In conclusion, the fight over NCAR funding shows how science and politics intersect. It reveals rare bipartisan unity in protecting essential research. As budget deadlines approach, all eyes remain on Congress. They must choose between cuts or continued investment in weather science.
FAQs
Why is NCAR funding so important?
NCAR funding supports research that forecasts severe weather like floods and wildfires. Accurate forecasts save lives, help farmers, and guide city planning.
Who opposes the funding cuts?
Eighty members of Congress, including Republicans and Democrats from Colorado and other states, oppose cuts. They signed a letter urging full NCAR funding.
What happens if NCAR funding is cut?
Reduced funding could lead to fewer forecasts, delayed warnings, and loss of expert staff. It may weaken the U.S. position in climate research.
How does this relate to the Space Command move?
Both battles involve protecting Colorado’s scientific and defense roles. Lawmakers worry about losing NCAR research and Space Command jobs together.