There’s been much debate swirling in the news of the federal government’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget process, including the budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This federal agency is critical for its oversight of our ocean and Great Lakes, our coastal ecosystems and communities and our national resources. Whether you live on the coast or inland, NOAA’s services, data and research benefit communities everywhere in the United States and fuel our economy. Maintaining robust annual funding across all of NOAA’s interdependent programs is essential.

Recently, President Biden released his FY24 budget proposal, including strong funding for NOAA to meet our growing needs nationally. This proposal, totaling $7.1 billion, places a critical focus on building resilient communities, expanding clean ocean energy, protecting ocean resources and increasing our understanding of the ocean and climate. Simply put, the president’s proposal would provide the funds needed to keep NOAA headed in the right direction at a critical time for our ocean and climate. 

NOAA FY24 Proposed Budget from President Biden 

It’s important to note NOAA’s annual budget is separate from the much-needed supplemental resources that were approved by Congress last year through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These acts included funds to increase coastal resiliency and help communities adapt to climate change, tackle plastic pollution and facilitate regional planning for increasing ocean uses. While the supplemental funding was a critical boost, it cannot replace steady appropriations. NOAA must be able to maintain base capacity, hold long-term partnerships and contracts, and employ people on the ground (and in the water). Think of the supplemental funding as the wave to launch the ship for critical NOAA initiatives; now we must keep the ship sailing—and ensure that all of NOAA’s programs have the resources they need to meet the growing challenges of our time.

Consider all the ways that NOAA touches your lives and our economy. NOAA manages our nation’s fisheries, helping put seafood on our tables while supporting jobs and generating billions of dollars. NOAA also provides critical data for shipping, aiding in the delivery of goods and services to consumers, by helping vessels avoid dangerous weather and water conditions and navigate efficiently, which saves time and money. NOAA plays a lead role in restoring and protecting our ocean, coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems and economies, including commercial fishing, and helps communities address the problems created by marine debris and pollution. Additionally, NOAA helps communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters, such as hurricanes, flooding and drought, which can have devastating economic impacts. The president’s budget would help to ensure all these benefits continue.

But ultimately, Congress has the power of the purse. 

In the past few weeks, members of Congress have muddied the waters of the budget process with conversations about the federal debt ceiling. Some legislators are working toward drastic and irresponsible cuts to non-defense budget items—items like NOAA and its programs—upwards to the tune of 22 percent. Cuts like this would dramatically shrink NOAA’s budget and have ripple effects felt across the agency – and felt across the government. Heavy cuts to NOAA would hamstring its ability to deliver on all its core benefits, affecting the everyday lives of Americans. 

These cuts would create a tidal wave of bad news. This is where you come in.  These are your elected officials, after all, and your voice matters! Let Congress know that you value the services NOAA provides for our ocean, coasts,  Great Lakes—and so much more—and ask your elected representatives to say YES to funding NOAA at the current or higher levels.