Schumer Blasts Trump For Cutting National Oceanic & Atmospheric Budget
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) yesterday blasted the White House for proposing a drastic 20% cut ($1 Billion) to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The NOAA studies climate and gathers critical weather data that translates into the forecasts we all rely upon when hurricanes, tropical storms and other major weather events occur. As Florence continues to pound the Carolinas and three other storms churn in the Atlantic, Schumer says the cuts are unconscionable.
“A storm is brewing at the federal level when it comes to our ability to robustly track the paths of severe weather events and deliver early warning forecasts to the public,” said Schumer. “That is why we need to put high pressure on Congress to stop the unwise cuts proposed by the Administration that could impact everything from our weather forecasters to our critical data gathering and modeling methods that scientists use to perfect predicting and in turn save lives on the ground when an erratic storm begins its churn.”
Under the Administration’s proposed plan for NOAA, the agency would see a 23 percent slash to its overall budget. FY2018 funding for NOAA was allocated at $5.9 billion. The proposal Schumer is working to stop attempts a $1.36 billion dollar cut, leaving the agency with $4.6 billion.
Schumer’s plan to prevent these cuts rests on his ability to negotiate a bi-partisan spending bill by the end of this month, also known as a Continuing Resolution, which he hopes can fund NOAA at levels experts would say allow it to perform its critical work. Schumer says this agreement must be bi-partisan if it is to pass and noted high hopes for getting this done.
“Tracking dangerous storms and ensuring the federal government has the tools, the satellites, and the manpower necessary to forecast wild weather should not be a political undertaking, and so I am hopeful I can work with colleagues to stop the Administration’s cuts to NOAA via the upcoming spending Bill that we should pass by the end of the month,” Schumer said.
Weprin, Advocates Call On ICE, USDOJ to End Indefinite Detentions of Asylum Seekers, Administrative Detainees
Assemblyman David I. Weprin (D–Fresh Meadows, Richmond Hill), Assembly Correction Committee Chair, today will join immigrants’ rights advocates, affected family members, and others to call on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) to end the indefinite detentions of asylum seekers and other immigrants being held on administrative violations.
Weprin, who visited and met with immigrant detainees at the Albany County Jail on Monday, will also join supporters and family members of detainees to share details of several instances where undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers have been held for extended periods while awaiting court proceedings or additional instructions; despite either having demonstrated a credible fear and being deemed eligible for asylum, having already volunteered for deportation or being held as a result of administrative violations.
Weprin will shed light on the issue at 11 a.m., today, Sept. 21 at the ICE Varick Street Detention Facility, 201 Varick Street in Manhattan.
Katz Visits Jamaica, Rochdale Today
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) will be out and about in Queens today.
Katz will deliver remarks at the groundbreaking of the redevelopment of the former NYPD 168th Street garage at 10 a.m. at 92-33 168th Street in Jamaica.
Then at 11:15 a.m., she will visit with senior citizens at Rochdale Village Senior Center, 169-65 137th Avenue in Rochdale.
