As Super El Niño Looms, Amo Leads 41 Lawmakers Calling for NOAA to Prepare

September 24, 2026 Press Release Lawmakers warn that weakened federal weather infrastructure could leave Americans less prepared for potentially historic extreme weather WASHINGTON, DC – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) led 41 lawmakers in calling on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Neil Jacobs to detail how the agency is preparing for a potentially historic Super El Niño and ensuring Americans have the forecasts, warnings, and data they need to stay safe. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter, with a 75% chance the event exceeds the strength of every El Niño recorded since 1950. A Super El Niño could bring significant disruptions to weather patterns, agriculture, food security, commerce, and communities around the world. Recent reporting has highlighted risks to food security in Central America, while NOAA notes that stronger El Niño events increase the likelihood of impacts consistent with the phenomenon. The lawmakers are raising these concerns as NOAA and the National Weather Service face workforce and data-collection challenges. The National Weather Service’s core mission includes providing forecasts, warnings, and weather data to protect lives and property and support the national economy. In their letter to NOAA the lawmakers write: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is warning of a potentially historic Super El Niño, with a “greater than 90% chance of a very strong” event and a 75% chance it exceeds the strength of every El Niño recorded since 1950. The consequences of this Super El Niño could be severe: extreme weather, crop failures, flooding and drought, worsening global hunger, and significant economic losses that cost trillions. The United States cannot afford to be caught flat-footed. The destruction caused by a Super El Niño could cascade to negatively impact U.S. interests, security, and commerce. In 2015, an El Niño left up to 100 million people food insecure. The World Food Program estimates this Super El Niño could push at least 49 million people into acute food insecurity by the end of 2027. This warning comes as President Trump has weakened the very agency responsible for forecasting and preparing Americans for these threats. NOAA must take these concerns seriously. NOAA must have the personnel, data, research, and resources necessary to warn Americans and help communities prepare before disaster strikes. Preparation for potentially historic weather events must remain a high priority The full letter can be found here. The letter was signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Donald Beyer (D-VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), André Carson (D-IN-07), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), John Larson (D-CT-01), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Christian Menefee (D-TX-18), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), George Whitesides (D-CA-27), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24). Background Congressman Amo serves as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Environment on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which administers the National Weather Service. In July 2026, Ranking Member Amo led 33 Members of Congress in calling on the Trump administration to restore the twice-a-day weather balloon launch schedule, as extreme weather and high heat hit across the country. In Summer 2025, Amo led the charge to reverse Trump’s damaging Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts to the National Weather Service staff. After months of public pressure, the National Weather Service announced plans to hire 450 new staff. Following the tragic Texas floods in July 2025, Congressman Amo highlighted the impact of Trump’s cuts to NOAA and the NWS on America’s disaster readiness. ###