Rep. Pallone to Trump: No Reasonable Excuse for NOAA Administrator Position Remaining Vacant

LONG BRANCH, N.J., June 2 -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., issued the following news release:

Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) sent a letter to President Trump calling on him to move swiftly to appoint a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator. Appointing a new Administrator should be a top priority, especially since hurricane season began this week. NOAA is essential to ensuring the effective tracking and study of deadly weather events.

Congressman Pallone wrote, "Almost six months into your presidency, there is no reasonable excuse as to why no one has been nominated to fill the Administrator role at NOAA." The Congressman represents areas of New Jersey that were hit especially hard during Superstorm Sandy.

The text of the letter is below:

June 2, 2017

President Donald Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I write regarding my deep concern over your lack of appointment of an Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With hurricane season officially underway and NOAA predicting an above-average hurricane season this year, it is of utmost importance that you appoint a qualified candidate to lead this agency.

The NOAA Administrator oversees both the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. The National Weather Service provides weather forecasts and warnings that are essential for the protection of life and property. The National Hurricane Center specializes in predicting, tracking, and developing a greater understanding of hazardous tropical weather, including hurricanes. These agencies study and provide advanced warnings to communities, especially along our coasts, that dangerous hurricanes and storms are imminent. These are essential roles of the federal government, and they are more important during hurricane season than ever.

Clear and effective leadership of NOAA is essential to ensuring the effective tracking and study of deadly weather events. As the representative of New Jersey's 6th Congressional District, which was hammered by Superstorm Sandy, from which - almost five years on - my constituents are still rebuilding, it is of the utmost importance that NOAA have clear and steady leadership. Lives and livelihoods are at stake.

Almost six months into your presidency, there is no reasonable excuse as to why no one has been nominated to fill the Administrator role at NOAA. I urge you to act without delay to fill this essential position. A failure to do so endangers my constituents.

Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS