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NOAA's Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs plays a critical role in preparing NOAA witnesses for Congressional hearings and coordinating with Congressional Committees. Over the last two Congresses, NOAA has participated in a number of hearings across a broad array of topics that touch on NOAA's mission. See below for more information on each hearing and links to recordings and our testimony.
Briefings
2023 Hurricane Season Outlook briefing - On May 25, 2023, NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad and NOAA National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Mike Brennan were joined by our partners from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross for the annual Hurricane Season Outlook and Preparedness Congressional briefing. Download the slides below:
Intergovernmental Affairs Briefing Slides on NOAA's Impact-based Decision Support Services - On December 8, 2022, NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad and National Weather Service Director Ken Graham provided an intergovernmental affairs briefing webinar entitled: Extreme Weather and Climate Preparedness: Innovative ways NOAA supports decision makers in state, local, and tribal communities. Download the slides below:
118th Congress (2023-2024)
117th Congress (2021-2022)
2022 Hearings
Senate Commerce Committee on Satellite-based Earth Observations: On Thursday, December 1, the Subcommittee on Space and Science of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened a hearing titled Landsat at 50 & the Future of U.S. Satellite-based Earth Observation. This subcommittee hearing highlighted critical Earth Observation (EO) data provided by NOAA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the United States Geological Survey, which recently celebrated Landsat’s 50th Anniversary. The hearing also discussed the rise of commercial providers and improving access to EO data to spur economic growth. Finally, the hearing highlighted EO value-added services enabling precision agriculture, improved city planning, water management, wildland fire prevention and detection, and disaster response. Dr. Steve Volz, Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services, testified for NOAA.
House Science Committee on the Next Generation of Weather Satellites: On Wednesday, September 21, the Subcommittee on the Environment and the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a joint hearing titled “Looking Back to Predict the Future: The Next Generation of Weather Satellites.” NESDIS Assistant Administrator Dr. Stephen Volz will provide testimony with other testimony provided by John Gagosian from NASA and Fred Meny from the Audit and Evaluation Department from the Department of Commerce.
House Science Committee on Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks: On Thursday, June 23, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Subcommittees on Research and Technology and on the Environment will hold a hearing to examine the Federal programs focused on monitoring, measuring, and verifying sources and sinks of greenhouse gasses (GHGs). Dr. Ariel Stein, Director of NOAA’s Air Monitoring Lab and Acting Director of NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory will be the NOAA witness. Other witnesses include representatives from NIST, EPA and NASA.
House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis: On Thursday, June 9, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis will hold a hearing titled “Turning the Tide for Ocean Climate Action: Unleashing the Climate Benefits of Our Blue Planet.” NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad provided testimony.
House Science Committee on Findings of the IPCC: On Thursday, April 28, the House Science, Space, & Technology Committee held a hybrid hearing titled “Now or Never: The Urgent Need for Ambitious Climate Action.” The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. Ko Barrett, Vice-Chair of the IPCC and NOAA”s Senior Advisor for Climate, testified.
Hawaii State House of Representatives Legislative Hearing: On Tuesday, March 29, the Hawaii State House of Representatives’ Committee on Land & Water held a legislative hearing on the following bill: HCR 36/HR 31- Requesting the University of Hawai’i to Work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of Education to Create a Coral Reef Advisory Team of Youth
House Natural Resources Legislative Hearing: On Thursday, March 17, the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a legislative hearing on the following bills:
- H.R. 6491 - the Salmon FISH Act
- H.R. 3431 - the Increasing Community Access to Resiliency Grants Act
- H.R. 6987 - the Protecting our Marine Mammals Act
- H.R. 665 - the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act
- H.R. 6785 - the Right Whale Coexistence Act.
Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator of NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, testified.
House Science Committee Hearing on Federal Climate Resilience: On Tuesday, March 7 the full House Science, Space, & Technology Committee held a virtual hearing titled “Federal Climate Adaptation and Resilience for the 21st Century.” The purpose of the hearing was to evaluate the Federal Government’s vulnerability to climate change, as well as the status of ongoing efforts to promote greater climate adaptation and resilience throughout Federal agency programs, operations and facilities. NOAA Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad testified on how NOAA is preparing and adapting our facilities and work for the impacts of climate change, and how NOAA’s climate products and services support other agencies to prepare and adapt to climate change.
House Science Subcommittee on Environment Hearing on Natural Infrastructure: On Wednesday, March 2 at 10am, the House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology, Subcommittee on Environment will hold a virtual hearing titled “From Gray to Green: Advancing the Science of Nature-Based Infrastructure”. The purpose of the hearing is to examine the research gaps in our understanding of the long-term benefits of nature-based infrastructure compared to equivalent gray infrastructure strategies. The panel will include NCCOS Director, Dr. Steve Thur.
House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Legislative Hearing: On Thursday, January 20, 2022, House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a legislative hearing on nine bills, including H.R. 3540 (Rep. John Sarbanes, D-MD), the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2021 and H.R. 4057 (Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-CA), the Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act. NOAA submitted a statement for the record.
2021 Hearings
House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Legislative Hearing: On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Janet Coit, NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator, testified at a legislative hearing before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife on two bills that would reauthorize and update the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act - H.R. 59 (Rep. Don Young, R-AK) the Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, and H.R. 4690 (Rep. Jared Huffman, D-CA), the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act of 2021.
Weathering the Storm: Reauthorizing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program: On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Research & Technology, held a hearing on the reauthorization of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). At the invitation of the Committee, NOAA submitted a statement for the record. The hearing covered agency efforts supporting and accomplishments made under NWIRP, including incorporating storm surge into the program, impacts of improved climate modeling and forecasting, and program resources.
The future of Forecasting: Building a Weather-Ready Nation on All Fronts: On Thursday, October 14, 2021, Dr. Louis Uccellini, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services, and Director of the National Weather Service testified before the House Science Committee on the state of the National Weather Service. The hearing will offer Dr. Uccellini an opportunity to share insights on the progression and trajectory of NWS mission and operations before he retires after 40+ years at the NWS and 50 years of government service. He discussed advancements and accomplishments in labor relations, hiring, research and scientific achievements, the Weather Ready Nation initiative, launching Impact-Based Decision Support Services, staffing and budget issues, reform efforts, and other topics.
Advancing Earth System Science and Stewardship at NOAA: On Thursday, September 23, the House Science Committee’s Subcommittee on the Environment will hold a virtual hearing to discuss Administrator Spinrad’s priorities as they relate to climate science and services; scientific integrity; the scientific workforce; weather, water, and climate research and forecasting; and other issues within the Science Committee’s jurisdiction. Dr. Spinrad is the sole witness for this hearing.
House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Legislative Hearing: On Thursday, July 29, Janet Coit, NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator, joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a federal panel to testify at a legislative hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife. The hearing was held on a number of bills, including the Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor Prevention Act, Marine Mammal Research and Response Act, Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act, Keeping Ecosystems Living and Productive (KELP) Act, Prevention of Escapement of Genetically Altered Salmon in the United States Act, Keep Finfish Free Act, and the American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act.
Examining the President’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Proposal for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: On Wednesday, July 21, Dr. Spinrad testified at a FY22 Budget hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee on NOAA’s FY22 Budget Request.
President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request: Agency Policies and Perspectives (Part II): On Thursday, July 14, NOAA testified at a FY22 Budget hearing before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Nicole LeBeouf testified on behalf of NOAA.
House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Legislative Hearing- Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act Hearing: On Tuesday, June 22, NOAA was invited to testify at a legislative hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee on H.R. 3764, The Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act. Nicole LeBeouf joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a federal panel to testify on the Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act.
Defining a National “Oceanshot”: Accelerating Ocean and Great Lakes Science and Technology: On Monday, June 7, Assistant Administrator Craig McLean testified at a hearing before the House Science Subcommittee on Environment on NOAA’s efforts to bolster ocean science and technology.
The Status of Drought Conditions Throughout the Western United States: On Tuesday, May 25, Assistant Administrator Craig McLean testified at a hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife on drought. NOAA’s testimony focused on NOAA’s drought products and services and the agency’s climate leadership role.
Legislative Hearing on H.R. 160 the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021: On May 4, 2021, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a legislative hearing on H.R. 160 To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and to establish the United States Coral Reef Task Force, and for other purposes, titled Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021. Jennifer Koss, Director of the Coral Reef Conservation Program testified on behalf of NOAA.
Increasing Risks of Climate Change and NOAA’s Role in Providing Climate Services: On April 15, 2021, House Appropriations Committee Commerce Subcommittee on Climate, Justice and Science Chairman Matt Cartwright (D PA-8) presided over a virtual/hybrid hearing to discuss NOAA climate services. Witnesses included Nicole LeBoeuf, NOS Assistant Administrator, and Dr. Stephen Volz, NESDIS Assistant Administrator and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation & Prediction.
116th Congress (2019-2020)
2020 Hearings
Environmental Justice for Coastal Communities: Examining Inequities in Federal Grantmaking: On October 15, 2020, the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife hosted a remote oversight hearing to discuss the inequalities in federal grantmaking. This hearing examined the requirements for federal grants and how it impacts underserved communities.
Building a Stronger and More Resilient Seafood Sector: U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, convened a hearing titled, “Building a Stronger and More Resilient Seafood Sector,” on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. This hearing examined the national and regional impacts of COVID-19 on the seafood industry and the effects of the fish disaster funding provided in the CARES Act. Witnesses will have the opportunity to discuss the work that needs to be done to sustain and restore a more resilient U.S. seafood sector. Dr. Paul Doremus, Deputy Assistant Administrator of Operations for NOAA Fisheries, was NOAA’s witness.
Nominations Hearing for Dr. Neil Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere: On March 11, 2020, the Senate Commerce Committee held a full-committee hearing on the nomination of Dr. Neil Jacobs for Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator for NOAA.
Examining Opportunities to Improve Prevention and Response of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harrassament at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: On Thursday, February 27, 2020 the House Natural Resources, Oversight Subcommittee asked NOAA to testify on the implementation of NOAA's SASH program. The hearing explored the complexity of SASH-related issues NOAA faces (e.g., aboard NOAA research vessels and related to observers aboard fishery vessels) and progress toward addressing those issues. Dr. Neil Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, was NOAA’s witness.
An Examination of Federal Flood Maps in a Changing Climate: On Thursday, February 27, 2020 the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing to explore how flooding and sea level rise affect American property owners, how the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses science to inform its flood products, and whether additional federal resources are needed to research and communicate future flood risk to the public. NOAA’s testimony focused on the interagency partnership between NOAA and FEMA, including how the agency’s science informs FEMA flood products, as well as about NOAA’s sea level measurement and coastal mapping tools, data delivery, and coastal resilience portfolio. Mark Osler, Special Advisor for Coastal Inundation and Resilience, testified for NOAA.
Space Missions of National Importance: Planetary Defense, Space Weather Protection, and Space Situational Awareness: On February 12, 2020, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, convened a hearing that focused on U.S. leadership in space missions vital to the global economy and the protection of human health and life on Earth. Witnesses discussed policies, programs, and research that are important for planetary defense, space weather protection, and space situational awareness.
Hearing on Legislation Regarding Ocean Issues: On January 14, 2020 held a legislative hearing on six bills: H.R. 1834, H.R. 2236, H.R. 4679, H.R. 4723, H.R. 5126, and H.R. 5548. RDML Tim Gallaudet, PH.D., USN RET. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator was NOAA’s witness.
2019 Hearings
A Task of EPIC Proportions: Reclaiming U.S. Leadership in Weather Modeling and Prediction
Oversight of NOAA’s Report on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing
Space Weather: Advancing Research, Monitoring, and Forecasting Capabilities
Feeding America: Making Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture a Reality
Fishery Failures: Improving the Disaster Declaration and Relief Process
Legislative Hearing
Field Hearing - Weathering the Storm: Improving Hurricane Resiliency through Research
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's FY 2020 Budget Request
NOAA Testimonies: Jacobs and Gallaudet
The Future of Forecasting: Building a Stronger U.S. Weather Enterprise
The Emerging Space Environment: Operational, Technical, and Policy Challenges
The Cost of Doing Nothing: Maritime Infrastructure Vulnerabilities in an Emerging Arctic
House Natural Resources Committee, Legislative Hearing
A Review of the NOAA FY2020 Budget Request
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2020
Ensuring U.S. Global Leadership on the Final Frontier
Examining the Threats to the North Atlantic Right Whale
Understanding the Changing Climate System, and the Role of Climate Research