- Rep. Eric Swalwell calls for a congressional probe into whether past NWS budget cuts impacted Texas flood warnings.
- Emphasizes public safety over politics, urging lawmakers to prioritize early warning systems and emergency preparedness.
- “No parent should face this,” Swalwell says, stressing accountability as families search for missing loved ones.
In the wake of the deadly central Texas floods, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is calling on Congress to investigate whether past funding cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) may have impacted early warning systems.
Speaking on CNN’s News Central Tuesday, Swalwell responded to questions about whether the Trump administration’s budget cuts to the NWS played a role in the lack of early alerts during the recent flooding, which left dozens dead and others still missing.
“I do think as lawmakers, we have a responsibility to look at did cuts affect the ability for folks on the ground and at the camp to have an earlier, better warning?” Swalwell said.
While acknowledging the sensitive timing as families continue searching for missing loved ones, Swalwell emphasized that lawmakers must prioritize public safety over partisan battles. “My job is to make sure that we put resources in place to keep people safe,” he said. “Our primary job as lawmakers is the safety of the public.”
He also pushed back on what he described as attacks on public service. “For the last six months, we’ve seen an effort to undermine the hard work of government workers,” he said, pointing to air traffic controllers and FEMA first responders.
Swalwell added, “If there’s a possibility that cuts at that agency affected the safety of those girls, we should understand that.”
Though the statement hints at political tension, Swalwell made it clear this moment is about responsibility and accountability, not blame.
“First and foremost, I’m a parent,” he said. “No parent wants to have to think that this could happen when their kid goes to camp.”
Both sides of the aisle will likely face pressure to take a serious look at future NWS funding.