{"id":2583836,"date":"2026-03-25T19:17:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-question-nws-about-staffing-shortages-caused-by-doge\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T19:22:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:22:39","slug":"democrats-question-nws-about-staffing-shortages-caused-by-doge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-question-nws-about-staffing-shortages-caused-by-doge\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats question NWS about staffing shortages caused by DOGE\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-question-nws-about-staffing-shortages-caused-by-doge%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2583836&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Democrats grilled National Weather Service leadership over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-pandemic-peak-coronavirus-cases-in-u-s-jump-to-highest-level-on-record\/\" title=\"Biden&#039;s Pandemic Peak: Coronavirus Cases in U.S. Jump to Highest Level on Record\">staffing shortages blamed<\/a> on DOGE-era firings, warning that the loss of about 600 forecasters could <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >jeopardize public safety amid recent extreme weather<\/a>. They cited the scale of the cuts, questioned the rehiring process, and urged safeguards against arbitrary dismissals to avoid ongoing staffing gaps. NWS official Taylor Jordan said the administration is rebuilding staffing, with approval to hire more than 400 new forecasters and roughly 190 onboarded so far, though concerns about overnight vacancies persist. The hearing underscored bipartisan frustration and a pledge of continued scrutiny as Congress considers future funding for the NWS.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democrats question NWS about staffing shortages caused by DOGE firings&nbsp;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2197714\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A&nbsp;group of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrat\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"475\">Democratic<\/a> lawmakers sharply questioned <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PMsY0BKIxPc&amp;t=2188s\">National Weather Service<\/a> leadership Wednesday over the fallout from mass firings in early 2025, warning that the loss of hundreds of forecasters may have jeopardized public safety amid extreme weather in recent months.<\/p>\n<p>NWS official Taylor Jordan testified before the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/appropriations-committee\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3363\">House Appropriations Committee<\/a> on Wednesday, where several lawmakers, including Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA), pushed Jordan on possible staffing shortages caused by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-government-efficiency\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11686\">Department of Government Efficiency<\/a> at the beginning of last year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/economy\/4499146\/six-states-gas-prices-iran-war\/\">Six states that have seen biggest bump in gas prices during Iran war<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4497030\/gas-prices-increases-to-3-884-per-gallon-nearly-30-cents-higher-than-a-week-ago\/\">Gas prices: Increases to $3.88 per gallon, nearly 30 cents higher than a week ago<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Roughly 600 employees were pushed out during the layoffs, many through early retirement and probationary firings tied to the DOGE efforts &mdash; a move that lawmakers said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lankford-pushes-congress-to-pass-bill-to-make-border-security-permanent-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Lankford pushes Congress to pass bill to make border security permanent - Washington Examiner\">left critical gaps<\/a> in staffing at local forecast offices.<\/p>\n<p>Meng pointed to the scale of the cuts and questioned whether they were a mistake, noting that &ldquo;roughly 600 employees of the National Weather Service were lost&rdquo; in the purge of &ldquo;front-line, critical employees, including our meteorologists.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>She pressed for assurances that the agency would not repeat what they described as &ldquo;arbitrary firings,&rdquo; warning that staffing instability at local forecast offices &ldquo;could have had a very negative effect on public safety, including the loss of lives.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Ivey, whose district includes federal weather facilities near Washington, D.C., described the human toll of the layoffs after speaking with affected employees during a protest last year. Many, he said, were &ldquo;crushed,&rdquo; having &ldquo;put decades of their careers towards service to the American people,&rdquo; only to be forced out during what he called the &ldquo;DOGE era.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The lawmaker questioned the rehiring process and whether those dismissed would be prioritized, arguing that experienced staff with &ldquo;institutional knowledge&rdquo; should be first in line as the agency rebuilds.<\/p>\n<p>Dean took aim at both the firings and the subsequent rehiring push, calling the cycle inefficient and costly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After noting that hundreds were forced out only for the agency to begin hiring again, the lawmaker described the process as &ldquo;chaos,&rdquo; adding, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t find it to be efficient. I would find it wasteful, fraudulent, and abusive.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In response, Jordan emphasized that the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a> is focused on rebuilding staffing levels and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-hampshire-republicans-flip-mayoral-seat-in-city-that-voted-democrat-since-2005\/\" title=\"New Hampshire: Republicans Flip Mayoral Seat in City that Voted Democrat Since 2005\">maintaining public safety<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The agency has been approved to hire more than 400 new forecasters, with more than 200 already receiving offers and about 190 onboarded.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/4502184\/dhs-100000-employees-unpaid-amid-shutdown\/\"><strong>DHS: 100,000 EMPLOYEES UNPAID AMID SHUTDOWN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jordon said all weather forecast offices remain in operation, even as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-partially-walks-back-irs-plan-to-track-most-transactions-over-600\/\" title=\"Biden ... Partially Walks Back IRS Plan To Track Most Transactions Over 0\">lawmakers raised concerns<\/a> about vacancies and gaps in overnight coverage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Still, the hearing underscored lingering bipartisan frustration over the 2025 cuts and their aftermath, with lawmakers signaling continued scrutiny as Congress weighs future funding for the NWS. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dems press NWS on staffing losses from DOGE firings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2583837,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/National-Weather-Service.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3685,58933,76545],"class_list":["post-2583836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-democrats","tag-nws","tag-staffing-shortages-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/National-Weather-Service.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2583836"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2583840,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2583836\/revisions\/2583840"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2583837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2583836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2583836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2583836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}