Senator Markey Applauds Committee Passage of His Priorities in Weather Act and NASA Reauthorizations

Washington (March 5, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee released the following statement after his Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act (S. 325) and components of his Forecasting Optimization for Robust Earth Climate Analysis and Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Tracking (FORECAST) Act (S. 1484) were included in the bipartisan Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 (S. 3923) that advanced out of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on March 3. Additionally, Senator Markey secured the inclusion of language to protect the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and to create astrophysical observatories and National High-Energy Astrophysics Hubs in the NASA Authorization Act of 2026 (S. 933).

"Whether it's coastal flooding in the East, wildfires in the West, or droughts in the heartland, extreme weather events are on the rise and pose an imminent threat to the safety of communities. More reliable, accessible weather information supports our farmers, mariners, workers, city planners, and more as we work to keep each other safe from devastating climate disasters," said Senator Markey. "I am glad to see that the Commerce Committee has included my legislation to bring more reliable long-term weather predictions and more accessible heat health information to Americans as they weather increasing threats to their safety in everyday life."

"Our national astrophysical observatories are national treasures, driving research, innovation, and exploration of our universe," continued Senator Markey. "Massachusetts is a leader in astrophysics, and I'm proud to help lead the charge in supporting our researchers who have revolutionized our understanding of the universe and continue to yield transformative discoveries."

The Weather Act reauthorization includes several key provisions from Senator Markey's bipartisan FORECAST Act, which was reintroduced with Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in April 2025. These provisions direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve the reliability of longer-term forecasts-commonly referred to as subseasonal to seasonal (S2S) forecasting-by modernizing data assimilation, modeling, and prediction systems used in forecasting, leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, and pursuing cross-sectoral partnerships with trusted academic and private sector partners. Language included in the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act also authorizes $40 million annually through fiscal year 2030 for efforts to improve longer-term forecasting. By modernizing longer-term forecasting efforts, communities and emergency planners will be more prepared for incoming weather events and disasters, preventing loss of life, injury, and damage to critical infrastructure.

Senator Markey's Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act, which was included in the Weather Act reauthorization, codifies NOAA's National Integrated Heat Health Information System, an interagency effort to increase the accessibility of information about extreme heat and associated health risks and improve research on the dangers of extreme heat on our health and well-being. The program makes available a public online dashboard that provides warnings about extreme heat events and educational materials on heat health and will also establish an interagency committee to coordinate federal activities to reduce health risks from heat.

Senator Markey, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and with Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Lori Trahan (MA-03), wrote to the Chandra X-Ray Center (Chandra) in October 2024 to express concerns over the telescope's long-term funding plans and seeking information on potential impacts from proposed future cuts. Senator Markey also led colleagues in requesting appropriations for Chandra, successfully preventing cuts to Chandra that would have imperiled its research.

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