Bonamici Blasts Musk’s Attempted Takeover of NOAA
WASHINGTON, DC [2/5/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici released the following statement after Elon Musk’s DOGE team invaded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
"This is an outrageous and reckless assault on science, the economy, and the safety of coastal communities across the country,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The Trump Administration, in a nefarious alliance with Elon Musk and DOGE, has its eyes on gutting NOAA—the very agency that tracks hurricanes, protects fisheries, and provides the basic weather data that businesses, farmers, first responders, and everyday people rely on.
“Disrupting NOAA’s essential services will put lives and livelihoods at risk. Without NOAA’s forecasts, people who fish for a living can’t safely navigate changing ocean conditions, farmers lose vital seasonal outlooks, wildfire responders can’t safely suppress fires, and millions of Americans will be left vulnerable to extreme weather. The brazen attack on NOAA outlined in Project 2025 isn’t just dangerous—it’s economically devastating. Coastal economies generate trillions in revenue, and undermining NOAA’s research and conservation efforts would threaten industries from tourism to shipping to fisheries.
“Silencing NOAA scientists to appease billionaires and internet memes is not governance—it’s corruption. This is not the first time Trump has put personal whims over public interest, but the consequences of dismantling NOAA would be catastrophic. Americans deserve a government that defends them against hurricanes and climate disasters, not one that sides with tech moguls over the truth.
“I will fight to protect NOAA, its scientists, and the critical services that millions depend on. I hope my Republican colleagues, who for years have recognized NOAA's value and advocated for its work in their communities, will join me and speak out against this illegal and misguided takeover. This reckless destruction of our nation’s scientific integrity will not stand."
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