Congressman Sorensen Leads Democrats in Demanding Transparency from the Department of Defense on Cutting Critical Satellite Weather Data Sharing
Congressman Sorensen Introduced an Amendment to the FY26 NDAA Requiring the DOD to Brief Members of Congress on the Cut-Off of Satellite Weather Data to the NWS
The DOD’s Satellite Weather Data Sharing with the NWS is Scheduled to be Discontinued on July 31 Despite its Importance in Accurately Forecasting Hurricanes Hitting the U.S.
Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) led a group of Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee in introducing an amendment demanding answers from leadership at the Department of Defense (DOD) on why they are ending a decades-long partnership to share essential satellite weather data with the National Weather Service (NWS). The Trump Administration announced that DOD would stop sharing key data used in hurricane forecasting after July 31 as the nation enters peak hurricane season.
“I will always be on the side of increasing the National Weather Service’s access to data that will help make our nation’s weather forecasting more reliable and accurate, meaning better warnings ahead of severe weather and more lives saved,” said Congressman Sorensen. “The sudden cut-off of mission-critical satellite weather data risks degrading hurricane forecasting and warnings just as we’re getting into peak hurricane season. As the only meteorologist in Congress, I’m proud to be leading the charge with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to get to the bottom of DOD’s decision to end a decades-long data sharing agreement.”
The amendment is cosponsored by Representatives Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), George Whitesides (CA-27), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Wesley Bell (MO-01), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02). You can read the full amendment HERE.
As the only meteorologist in Congress, Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for protecting and strengthening NOAA and the NWS from cuts. Starting last year, he has been warning about the impact of Project 2025’s plans to dismantle and privatize NOAA and the NWS. As the Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the agencies, Congressman Sorensen has been speaking out, introducing legislation, and calling on the Administration to bring a stop to the disastrous cuts. He recently introduced the Weather Workforce Improvement Act to help the NWS fully staff critical positions at their offices and the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act to help strengthen weather forecasting in rural America.