National Weather Service Employees Organization

Legislators' Responses to Letters Requesting to Maintain Funding of the NWS

(April 4, 2011) Many NWSEO members have written to their state legislators asking them to support fully funding the National Weather Service. Many legislators have responded to these letters. We thought you'd be interested to see their written letters of response. We have posted the letters forwarded to us below:

Letter from U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander to NWSEO Steward Jason Wright:

April 6, 2011
                     
Dear Mr. Wright:

Thanks very much for getting in touch with me and for letting me know what's on your mind regarding the Federal budget.

This year the Federal government will spend $3.7 trillion but will only collect $2.2 trillion in revenue. Forty cents of every dollar the Federal government spends is borrowed--much of it from China--and we are piling up new debt at a rate of $4 billion a day.

We can no longer continue the spending spree that has characterized Washington in recent years. The question is: Will we or will we not stop spending money we don't have? Do we have the courage and common sense and the sense of responsibility to make difficult decision for the future of our country when it comes to spending and debt? Congress should take a hard look at the entire budget and focus on the nation's priorities as we develop a long-term plan to cut our debt, which is choking economic growth and stifling job creation.

On March 17th, I supported a "continuing resolution" that would keep the government open and funded through April 8th while reducing spending by $6 billion. This resolution is another step toward stopping Washington from spending money we don't have.

I'm grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand. I'll be sure to keep your comments in mind as the federal budget and spending issues are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

Sincerely,

Lamar

Letter from U.S. Senator Kelly A. Ayotte to NWSEO Steward John Stansfield:

March 30, 2011
Dear Mr. Stansfield:

Thank you for contacting me regarding government spending with regard to the National Weather Service.  I appreciate hearing from you.

I believe we all have a patriotic duty to make America better off tomorrow than it is today.  We have the difficult task of reining in a massive national debt, while at the same time encouraging economic growth and protecting the truly disadvantaged.  We must ensure that critical safety net spending is focused on those who need it most, while cutting all spending that is redundant, inefficient, or wasteful.

Our nation is in a fiscal crisis.  The national debt threatens not only our economic prosperity, but also our security and sovereignty.  Our national debt stands at over $14 trillion, and the deficit is projected to reach a staggering $1.6 trillion this year.  Voters sent me to Washington to cut spending, and I am committed to make government live within its means like New Hampshire families do.  In doing so, I believe that it is my responsibility to analyze the underlying problems perpetuating the unsustainable growth in our federal debt and to make a real effort to solve them.  

If we do not make changes that address all areas of our federal budget, just the interest we spend on our debt alone will swallow up our discretionary spending and will significantly harm our ability to help the neediest of our society.  Just this year, interest on our debt is $221 billion, and if we stay on the current path we are on, interest payments will grow to $844 billion annually and engulf most of domestic spending.  

I appreciate your concerns that federal spending be used wisely.  I will certainly keep your support for the National Weather Service in mind as I undertake the challenge of addressing the grave fiscal challenges we face as a nation.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me.  As your Senator, it is important for me to hear from those I represent regarding the current issues affecting New Hampshire and our country.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,


Kelly A. Ayotte
U. S. Senator

KAA/sr

Letter from U.S. Sentator Jim Webb to NWSEO Steward Wayne Weeks

March 29, 2011

Dear Mr. Weeks:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the H.R. 1, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011.  I appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns about NOAA and the National Weather Service.

I voted against H.R. 1, which was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 44-56 on March, 9, 2011. H.R. 1 contained cuts that targeted our nation's most vulnerable populations, failed to acknowledge the changes necessary in non-discretionary spending, and put at risk recent economic gains.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to craft a responsible funding bill that will keep our government functioning and actually address the systemic fiscal challenges facing our country.

I appreciate hearing from my constituents.  Your correspondence helps me serve you better in the Senate.  I hope that you will continue to share your views with me and my staff in the years ahead.

I would also invite you to visit my website at www.webb.senate.gov for regular updates about my activities and positions on matters that are important to Virginia and our nation.

Thank you once again for contacting my office.

Sincerely,

Jim Webb
United States Senator

JW: jb

-NWSEO-