Draft Proposal Shows 25% NOAA Budget Cut, Major Research Elimination

An internal government document obtained by CBS News reveals a draft proposal that would cut the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2026 budget by 25%, amounting to a $1.672 billion reduction from 2025 funding levels. The proposal, labeled as "pre-decisional" from the Office of Budget and Management, would eliminate the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office entirely, along with funding for climate, weather, and ocean laboratories. The document states the cuts would support "a leaner NOAA" focused on core operational needs while eliminating "unnecessary levels of bureaucracy."

While National Weather Service funding would remain unchanged under the proposal, several significant organizational changes are outlined. The Space Weather Prediction Center would move from NOAA to the Department of Homeland Security, and the Traffic Coordination System for Space would be terminated with potential transfer of useful elements to non-governmental entities. Current and former NOAA officials have described the proposed changes as "devastating," arguing that research functions are essential for improving forecasting and prediction services used by various sectors including agriculture and insurance.

The draft proposal comes during the federal budget "passback" process, during which agencies can appeal decisions to the Office of Management and Budget. Sources at NOAA indicated they have successfully objected to proposed cuts during this process in previous administrations but expressed concern about the difficulty of appeals under the current administration. OMB spokeswoman Alexandra McCandless stated that "no final funding decisions have been made," while the White House has not responded to requests for comment.

Congressional Democrats have voiced opposition to the proposed changes. Representative Zoe Lofgren, ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, called the plan "both outrageous and dangerous," particularly criticizing the elimination of research offices she described as "foundational to the agency's mission to protect life and property." The proposal represents a significant potential restructuring of an agency responsible for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and ocean research during the Trump administration's first budget cycle since returning to office.