January 15, 2026
Dear Jesse,
Thank you for contacting me about the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Your concerns are important to both me and my team as we work tirelessly to serve the people of Maryland.
In 1960, the U.S. National Science Foundation established the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) with the goal of creating world-class facilities and services that were beyond the reach of any individual institution. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, NCAR laboratories focus on climate science, meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, and sun and space weather. NCAR provides the scientific community with vital research, world-class computing, and advanced instruments, along with education and outreach to better understand the Earth’s atmosphere. NCAR receives most of its funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), although researchers have also had the opportunity to secure grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). NCAR’s work is crucial to improving public safety, aiding climate change mitigation, supporting national defense, and boosting economic development around the nation.
In December, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought announced the “breaking up” of NCAR on social media, calling the facility “one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.” The decision to dismantle NCAR aligns with misguided Trump Administration policies that cut funding and research related to climate change. Earlier last year, the Administration dismissed scientists working on the congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment. In his social media post, Director Vought stated that a comprehensive review of the research center is underway and that “any vital activities such as weather research will be moved to another entity or location.” Specific actions beyond the announcement have not been detailed, leaving the actual process unclear. These actions jeopardize long-term environmental and economic stability.
As the effects of the climate crisis become increasingly severe, I believe the United States must act with urgency to protect and expand federal investments, research, and transparency related to climate change. I have been an avid supporter of climate and weather-related research and action. When the Trump Administration sought to cut NASA Science programs, which play a critical role in climate research, I demanded that the proposed cuts be stopped in a letter to Acting Administrator Sean Duffy. I was also proud to cosponsor the Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025, which would require NOAA to establish and maintain a publicly available database and webpage containing information on the billion-dollar disasters that occur each year in the United States. I will continue to advocate for climate and weather research for the benefit of future generations, and I am committed to pursuing any legislative action necessary to ensure that NCAR is protected.
As your Senator, I am committed to hearing the perspectives of all Marylanders on these important issues. I hope you will not hesitate to contact me again through my website https://www.alsobrooks.senate.gov or my office at 202-224-4524.
It is an honor to represent you in the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
ANGELA D. ALSOBROOKS
United States Senator
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