NOAA Seeks 17% Cut to Workforce in 2026

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a plan to reduce its workforce by 17 percent in 2026, after having already fired hundreds of probationary employees. According to the agency, "a leaner NOAA that focuses on core operational needs, eliminates unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, terminates nonessential grant programs, and ends activities that do not warrant a Federal role, will provide better value to the American public." Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee also expressed concern about proposed 2026 staffing cuts. The Committee instead proposed a draft fiscal 2026 Commerce-Justice-Science bill that “would require the Trump Administration to maintain staffing at levels necessary to fill statutory obligations” and would eliminate any reduction in force to NOAA and the National Weather Service.