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119-hr-2296119th CongressWALLET

National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act

Sponsored By: Representative Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

Introduced

Summary

Move the National Weather Service's instant messaging system to a cloud-hosted commercial platform. The bill would require the National Weather Service (NWS) to replace NWSChat with a commercial off-the-shelf messaging solution hosted in the public cloud that meets growth, usability, and performance criteria by October 1, 2027.

Show full summary
  • NWS staff and partner users would switch to a cloud-hosted, commercial messaging tool designed to handle more users and be easier to use.
  • Funding would come from NWS Operations, Research, and Facilities accounts with up to $3.0 million available each year in fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
  • Procurement would favor commercial off-the-shelf public cloud products that match criteria set by the NWS Director, encouraging use of systems similar to those already in commercial use.

*Would provide up to $3.0 million per year from existing NWS appropriations for FY2026–FY2029 to pay for the upgrade.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Cloud upgrade for weather service messages

The bill would require the National Weather Service to replace its NWSChat messaging with a commercial cloud system by October 1, 2027. The new system would need to handle more users, be easy to use, and be similar to common commercial tools. To fund the change, the agency could use up to $3 million each year in fiscal years 2026 through 2029, up to $12 million total, from its Operations, Research, and Facilities funds if provided. If enacted, this could make forecasts and warnings more reliable for the public.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

IA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

    AS • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

    GU • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2025

  • Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 3/25/2025

  • Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2025

  • Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/2/2025

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/1/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/10/2025

  • Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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