Overview

• Jacobs was approved in a 51–47 roll call as part of a large block of nominations, following earlier bipartisan support in committee.
• An internal review in 2020 concluded Jacobs and a communications official breached NOAA’s ethics policy in how an unsigned 2019 statement criticized Birmingham forecasters during 'Sharpiegate.'
• In his July hearing, Jacobs said he would handle the episode differently today and pledged not to endorse inaccurate statements under political pressure.
• He told senators his top priorities include rebuilding National Weather Service staffing, modernizing how watches and warnings are delivered, and exploring a post‑disaster review board.
• The confirmation comes as NOAA contends with staff reductions, proposed deep budget cuts, and curtailed climate reporting, even as Jacobs acknowledges both human and natural drivers of climate change and has backed some administration proposals affecting climate science work.