The GOP-sponsored 2011 spending bill slashed the budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, slashing $700 million targeted for an overhaul of the nation’s aging environmental satellite system. NOAA scientists have stated unequivocally the existing satellites will fail and if they aren’t replaced, the agency’s ability to provide life-saving information to the American people will be compromised.
Think Progress, May 23, 2011
This was way before the sequester, which cut funding even more.
The sequester cut $266 million from two key accounts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that are used to fund NOAA's satellite programs. The sequester will cause a delay of several years in replacing a failing satellite as well as furlough 2,600 employees.
Space Policy Online
If this is the kind of budget offset idiots like Tom Coburn (R-What's left of OK) recommends, those of you in Tornado Alley had better start digging cyclone shelters, and run for them every time there is a heavy dew.
Republicans, don't say you were not warned in time when a disaster hits and the rest of us were not warned in time.
“Because we have insufficient funds in the ’11 budget, we are likely looking at a period of time a few years down the road where we will not be able to do the severe storm warnings and long-term weather forecasts that people have come to expect today,” Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator, told reporters .
5:32 PM PT: Super cell pictures from NASA and NOAA satellites
http://www.nasa.gov/...