Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice on Thursday urged leaders of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to not only prioritize their spending but to make sure there is adequate funding for the agency’s facilities at the University of Oklahoma.
The GOP representative spoke at a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment hearing entitled “Advancing Earth System Science and Stewardship at NOAA.”
In her opening statement, Rep. Bice acknowledged the life and property-saving services conducted at the National Weather Center in Norman, but said NOAA also must ensure its buildings, instruments and entire infrastructure are world-class.
” The meteorologists, oceanographers, biologists, and other researchers shouldn’t have to settle for outdated buildings and cramped laboratories,” she stated.
“While I’m certainly not opposed to investing in NOAA’s life-saving products, we must ensure that the Administration is adequately prepared to handle an increased budget. This includes expedited hiring, upgrading infrastructure, ramping up new research projects, and a variety of other issue. A lump sum of money with no strings attached can be a curse before it is a blessing. Therefore, priorities must be set, and decisions must be made.”
Source: Rep. Bice press release
