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Senate Unanimously Passes Weather Act to Modernize Forecasting and Hurricane Prediction

Senate Unanimously Passes Weather Act to Modernize Forecasting and Hurricane Prediction

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, also known as the Weather Act (S. 3923). This comprehensive bill aims to modernize the nation's weather forecasting system and reauthorize various programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Key provisions include establishing the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program as a long-term initiative to enhance predictions of rapid hurricane intensification, storm tracks, and storm surge. The legislation also directs NOAA to design and deploy the next generation of weather radar by 2037, address current radar coverage gaps, and upgrade NOAA Weather Radio equipment, expanding its coverage in rural areas. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes the national Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program and mandates a new interagency effort on extreme heat. Introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the bill now moves t...

Senator Rosen's Weather Forecasting Bill Passes Senate, Aims to Aid Nevada Farmers and Ranchers

Senator Rosen's Weather Forecasting Bill Passes Senate, Aims to Aid Nevada Farmers and Ranchers

U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen's 'Smarter Weather Forecasting for Water Management, Farming, and Ranching Act' has successfully passed the Senate as part of the bipartisan Weather Act. This legislation is designed to enhance weather forecasting capabilities for the benefit of Nevada's agricultural sector. The bill establishes new subseasonal and seasonal forecasting pilot projects under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These projects aim to improve advanced forecasts, covering periods from two weeks to two years, thereby creating more consistent short-term and long-term weather predictions. The primary goal is to better prepare farmers and ranchers for potential weather anomalies, such as flash floods or extreme drought conditions. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration, and if passed there, it will proceed to the President's desk for signature. Senator Rosen emphasized the importance of investing in weather prediction technology and funding NOAA p...

Representatives Schrier and Bonamici Reintroduce 'Healthy Meal Time Act' to Standardize School Lunch and Recess Durations

Representatives Schrier and Bonamici Reintroduce 'Healthy Meal Time Act' to Standardize School Lunch and Recess Durations

U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) have reintroduced The Healthy Meal Time Act. This federal bill aims to ensure public school students receive adequate time for eating and playing during the school day. Currently, federal regulations under the National School Lunch Program specify nutritional requirements for meals but do not mandate the duration students have to consume them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a minimum of twenty minutes of seated eating time, but this is not a federal requirement, leaving such decisions to state and local school administrators. Research indicates that shorter meal periods lead to reduced consumption of fruits, vegetables, and entrees, alongside an increase in food waste. The proposed legislation seeks to address this by directing the USDA and the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a national study and disseminate evidence-based best practices for school meal durations.

Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Allow Peace Corps Logo on Gravestones

U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) has introduced bipartisan legislation, the Memorializing Peace Corps Service Act, aimed at permitting the use of the official Peace Corps seal, emblem, and logo on gravestones, plaques, and death announcements for deceased Peace Corps volunteers, officers, and staff. The current law prohibits such use, preventing families from honoring their loved ones' service in this manner. The bill was inspired by Susan, a Minnesotan who was unable to engrave the Peace Corps symbol on her brother Thomas (Tom) W. Stieve's gravestone. Tom served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kiribati and later as a Peace Corps-sponsored United Nations volunteer in Vanuatu in the 1980s. Despite his significant service, current regulations prevented his sister from including the Peace Corps logo on his memorial. Senator Smith emphasized that volunteering with the Peace Corps is a profound dedication to service that should be recognized posthumously.

Senators Young and Booker Introduce Bipartisan OPTIONS Act to Enhance Worker Benefit Flexibility

Senators Young and Booker Introduce Bipartisan OPTIONS Act to Enhance Worker Benefit Flexibility

Senators Young and Booker Introduce Bipartisan OPTIONS Act to Enhance Worker Benefit Flexibility

The Latest: Supreme Court to consider Trump’s order suspending asylum access at southern border

The Latest: Supreme Court to consider Trump’s order suspending asylum access at southern border

The Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider President Donald Trump’s ban on asylum at the southern border, a pillar of the Republican president’s far-reaching crackdown on immigration

Senator Cantwell Leads Unanimous Senate Passage of Weather Act Reauthorization to Strengthen NOAA Programs

Senator Cantwell Leads Unanimous Senate Passage of Weather Act Reauthorization to Strengthen NOAA Programs

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, successfully led the unanimous Senate passage of the bipartisan Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 (Weather Act). This legislation has now been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Weather Act is designed to authorize and strengthen programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), focusing on enhancing weather research and forecasting capabilities. The goal is to improve the nation's preparedness and response to dangerous weather disasters, ultimately saving lives. Senator Cantwell, a long-time advocate for NOAA, previously secured $3.3 billion in NOAA investments through the Inflation Reduction Act to support climate change adaptation, scientific understanding of weather patterns, and advanced computing for extreme weather prediction. The bill also incorporates elements from her Fire Ready Nation Act, w...

Senators Booker and Kim Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Family Caregivers from Workplace Discrimination

Senators Booker and Kim Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Family Caregivers from Workplace Discrimination

U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) have reintroduced the Protecting Family Caregivers from Discrimination Act. This legislation aims to make it illegal for employers to penalize workers due to their caregiving responsibilities, such as caring for an aging parent, a sick child, or a loved one with a disability. The bill seeks to close a gap in federal law that currently leaves many working caregivers vulnerable to discrimination. Senator Booker emphasized that no one should be forced to choose between their job and caring for family members. The proposed act would prohibit employers from firing, demoting, mistreating, or refusing to hire individuals based on their caregiving duties. It also includes provisions to bar retaliation against workers who seek to enforce these protections and establishes a grant program to help prevent and combat caregiver discrimination. This reintroduction comes during National Family Caregivers Month, highlighting the significant number of Americans who balanc...

Senator Jerry Moran Delivers Veterans Day Message and Advocates for Take Care of America’s Veterans Act

Senator Jerry Moran Delivers Veterans Day Message and Advocates for Take Care of America’s Veterans Act

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, delivered a message for Veterans Day, emphasizing his high regard for the nation's veterans and their sacrifices. Senator Moran highlighted the historical significance of Veterans Day, which originated as Armistice Day and was officially established by President Eisenhower in 1954, following a proposal from Alvin J. King of Emporia, Kansas. Moran also announced that the U.S. House of Representatives is voting on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA), legislation he champions. This bill aims to allow combat-disabled veterans to receive both their earned retirement pay and VA disability benefits, expand support for family caregivers, and improve care for aging veterans and those with specific conditions like spinal cord injuries and ALS. Additionally, it seeks to deliver benefits to surviving spouses and family members of fallen servicemembers.

Representatives Introduce 'Healthy Meal Time Act' to Study School Lunch and Recess Timing

Representatives Introduce 'Healthy Meal Time Act' to Study School Lunch and Recess Timing

Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) have introduced the 'Healthy Meal Time Act' in Congress. This proposed legislation aims to ensure that students are allocated sufficient time to eat and engage in recess during the school day. The bill mandates the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with input from the U.S. Department of Education, to conduct a study. The purpose of this study is to identify and disseminate best practices concerning meal and recess timing in schools. Currently, there are no federal guidelines dictating the duration of school lunch periods, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a minimum of 20 minutes of seated lunch time. The 'Healthy Meal Time Act' would require the study's recommendations to consider this CDC guideline, as well as the time needed for non-eating activities and the consumption of minimally processed and unprocessed foods.

Could Protect College Sports Act be running out of time? Randy Levine sounds the alarm

Could Protect College Sports Act be running out of time? Randy Levine sounds the alarm

The Protect College Sports Act faces an uncertain future in the House. Randy Levine is turning up the heat on Congress.

Senators Young and Booker Introduce Bipartisan OPTIONS Act to Enhance Employee Benefit Flexibility

Senators Young and Booker Introduce Bipartisan OPTIONS Act to Enhance Employee Benefit Flexibility

Senators Young and Booker Introduce Bipartisan OPTIONS Act to Enhance Employee Benefit Flexibility