Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-6065, 202-494-4486
Giselle Barry, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836, 202-510-3240

Romney-Ryan budget scheme would cut hurricane forecasting by $27 million

WASHINGTON (August 25, 2012) -- The GOP convention will lose its first day to Tropical Storm Isaac. This follows a string of extreme weather events, including an historic drought and record heat waves, that have plagued the United States this year and follow the predictions of climate scientists of more intense and frequent dangerous weather events. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement regarding this decision and the continued denial of climate science that plagues the Republican party:

“Perhaps this decision will give Republicans an extra day to think about the fact that we just had the hottest twelve months on record, that America is experiencing the worst drought since the Dust Bowl, and that sea level rise caused by climate change would put Tampa underwater. Cancelling their convention due to yet another damaging weather event should change the conventional wisdom on climate change within the Republican Party.”

According to an analysis prepared by Democratic staff of the House Natural Resources Committee, the Ryan budget calls for an overall reduction in funding of nearly $725 million for the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, impacting 15,000 jobs and crippling the ability of the National Weather Service to provide weather satellite predictions to the American public.  The budget plan even cuts hurricane forecast modeling by $27 million.