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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra has introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize the National Weather Service’s outdated communications network, NWS Chat, which disseminates critical, time-sensitive information to broadcasters, emergency managers, and the general public during severe weather events.

Two key agricultural positions remain vacated under the Biden administration.

In a letter sent to President Biden this week, U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson, Randy Feenstra, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and many of their colleagues urged the administration to quickly nominate two qualified individuals to the positions of Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

All four Iowans who serve in the U.S. House have introduced a bill that would upgrade the communications network for the National Weather Service. Damage to a fiber optic cable at a Weather Service office in Texas delayed warnings during last month’s tornado outbreak in Iowa.

Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines, a Democrat, says it’s important for congress to pass this bill now rather than address it later in the year during federal budget negotiations.

Republicans offered a motion to block the previous question on the House floor on Wednesday night. If the previous question was blocked, the House could consider Republican-led H.R. 6858, the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, to support American energy production across the country.