Two bipartisan Feenstra bills advance to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved two bipartisan science-related bills offered by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) that have advanced to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“When I was elected to Congress, I promised that I would get things done for our families, farmers, small businesses, and thriving communities in Iowa,” Rep. Feenstra said. “I encourage my Senate colleagues to support these bills and look forward to seeing them become law.”

The House on July 27 passed the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act, H.R. 7361, which Rep. Feenstra sponsored in April with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA). If enacted, the bill would direct the National Weather Service (NWS) to replace the instant messaging service it uses, commonly referred to as NWSChat, with a commercial, off-the-shelf communications solution hosted on the public cloud, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Also on July 27, the House approved the NOAA Chief Scientist Act, H.R. 3952, which Rep. Feenstra introduced in June 2021 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to revise the qualifications and responsibilities of the chief scientist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“My two bills that passed the House represent my commitment to finding solutions to the problems facing our state and nation,” said Rep. Feenstra. “From equipping the National Weather Service with modern technology to keep people informed and out of harm’s way during severe storms to establishing the highest employment standards for NOAA officials who monitor natural disasters, these pieces of legislation will save lives and protect our communities.” 

Both measures are now under consideration in the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.