Overview

• At the July 9 Senate hearing, Neil Jacobs defended the administration’s proposed 27% funding cut for NOAA, insisting mission-critical forecasting operations will remain intact.
• Senators intensified scrutiny of appointees’ private-sector ties, spotlighting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s business interests, nominee Neil Jacobs’s industry connections and nominee Taylor Jordan’s lobbying background.
• Lawmakers highlighted NOAA’s loss of about 1,900 employees, over 3,000 current vacancies and demanded nominees lay out plans for rebuilding National Weather Service staffing.
• Both nominees signaled alignment with Project 2025’s call to commercialize forecasting functions, pledging to forge private-sector partnerships while protecting public access.
• Jacobs acknowledged his involvement in the 2019 “Sharpiegate” breach of scientific integrity and vowed not to repeat political interference, outlining efforts to modernize warning systems.