Latest news with #EricSorensen
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House Democrats call for 'urgent review‘ of deadly Texas flooding
Three House Democrats sent a letter to President Trump and two officials involved in weather infrastructure Friday expressing concerns about the government's preparedness for future flood disasters and extreme weather events. 'This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021, 345 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024,' Democratic Reps. Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) and Eric Sorensen (Ill.) wrote. 'These events are not anomalies—they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future,' they added. Doggett represents a district centered around Austin, a couple of hours from Kerr County, the epicenter of the floods. Sorensen is a meteorologist. The lawmakers expressed concern about whether the Department of Government Efficiency-driven staff reductions at the National Weather Service delayed warnings about the Texas floods, which have claimed at least 120 lives. The New York Times reported the vacancies may have complicated efforts to coordinate with local officials and that some of the unfilled positions predate the Trump administration. The letter was addressed to Trump alongside Army Corps of Engineers Gen. William Graham Jr. and acting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Laura Grimm. The lawmakers also asked NOAA and the Army Corps of Engineers to detail how they planned to adapt federal weather services to what they called 'the growing frequency of extreme precipitation events attributable to climate change.' The joint message follows another letter from Doggett on Tuesday asking NOAA about the impact of staffing shortages. Trump visited Texas on Friday to assess damage from the flooding. At least 160 people remain missing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rep. Moran introduces bill to improve rural radar gaps in East Texas
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– To improve radar gaps in rural areas across East Texas, the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act, which was created to strengthen weather radar coverage in rural and underserved areas, was reintroduced on Friday by congressmen Nathaniel Moran ( R-TX-01) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) LIST: Fourth of July festivities happening in East Texas 2025 The act was originally introduced in 2023 and was included in the Weather Act Reauthorization of 2023, which was passed as H.R. 6093. Moran is now reintroducing the act as a standalone bill to emphasize its importance and ensure rural communities are not left behind. East Texas is nestled between two weather radars in Fort Worth and Shreveport, with neither quite reaching our entire area. In 2023, Moran emphasized the need for a radar system in East Texas. 'For those that did not know this problem existed, we've got this radar system in Fort Worth [and] we've got one in Shreveport. Because they're so far away, we can only see those higher-level features; we can't see the low-level features,' Moran explained. Man arrested in Angelina County for East Texas church burglary On Friday, Moran again explained the need for a radar system and how it is a necessity in rural areas. 'When severe weather hits, every second counts,' Congressman Mora said 'But, far too many rural communities lack the radar coverage they need to detect threats in time. This bill directs the National Weather Service to identify areas where rural radar coverage is falling short, so that communities like East Texas can obtain the necessary tools to track storms earlier, respond more effectively, and save lives. While a key part of this effort is already included in the Weather Act Reauthorization of 2025, we're reintroducing this bill to emphasize the necessity for making rural weather safety a national priority. Our families, first responders, and local officials deserve better, and we're working together to deliver it.' The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to identify regulatory, technical, and funding obstacles that hinder or prevent the deployment of modern radar infrastructure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sorensen announces possible growth – not cuts – for the Peoria Ag Lab
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen said the Ag Lab, instead of being shuttered, could actually see some growth. The release of next year's Agricultural Utilization Research budget proposal includes a potential growth for the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, more commonly known as the Ag Lab, for 'research expansion,' the congressman said in a news release. Terminated Peoria Ag Lab employees could return to work following a ruling 'When I heard this facility might be at risk, I made it a priority to make sure the administration and USDA leadership understood the value of this world-class research center. I'm proud to say our efforts paid off,' said the Rockford Democrat. 'We made our case loud and clear. I want to thank every researcher, every advocate, and every voice who spoke up. 'The work being done in this facility supports farmers, strengthens our food systems, and helps fight climate change. I'm proud to have stood with our community to show how important the NCAUR is—not just to Peoria, but to our entire nation' he said. Amid cuts being handed down by the Trump administration, fears rolled in about those cuts affecting the Ag Lab, said Ethan Roberts, the president of AFGE Local 3247, which is the union that represents the rank and file at the facility. 'The silence from USDA leadership created a culture of fear, driving away talented staff. But when we reached out to our stakeholders—especially the farming community—their support was overwhelming and helped put NCAUR and ARS back on the map,' he said. 'We're grateful to everyone who stood with us to protect the vital research we do for farmers and food safety.' Sorensen says he has been a 'fierce advocate' for the lab and has even outlined the lab's contributions to not only agriculture but also the regional economy. The lab has hundreds of employees and even supports local and global agricultural research and is the largest federal employer in the region, he said. The proposed budget would not just protect those hundreds of jobs but would also highlight their cutting-edge research, he said. Final funding decisions will be made by Congress, and Sorensen will continue to 'monitor the process and fight to make sure the Peoria Ag Lab remains fully protected,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Sorenson proposes bill to boost funding for veterans' home upgrades
(WTVO) — Illinois Representative Eric Sorenson (D) reintroduced a that would provide more funding to disabled veterans. The legislation would increase funding to the already $8,800 that disabled veterans receive to make modifications to their homes. The $8,800 is split, with 2,000 of the funds being available for injuries and disabilities unrelated to their military service. The proposal would increase the funding of those grants to $10,000 for disabilities caused by serving and $5,000 for unrelated conditions. Sorenson the bill for the first time in June of 2023. 'Making sure our veterans can live comfortably after serving is one of the ways we can show our gratitude for their sacrifices,' said Sorensen upon proposing the bill for the first time. 'This bill helps veterans who need this critical support transition smoothly from their time bravely serving our nation.' The second time around, Sorenson is being backed by co-sponsors in the House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen reintroduces to bipartisan internet bills
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen has announced he will reintroduce two bills that will expand access to affordable high speed internet. The Rural Broadband Assistance Act and the ReConnecting Rural America Act aim to make affordable high-speed internet across not only Illinois but the country as a whole more accessible, said Britany Hardaway, the Rockford Democrat's spokesperson. 'Every hometown in Illinois deserves the necessary tools to stay connected and grow,' said Sorensen. 'Whether it's helping our neighbors get the support they need to apply for broadband funding or strengthening programs that bring faster internet to places that need it most, these bills are about making sure rural America isn't left behind.' The goal of the Rural Broadband Assistance Act bill is to make it easier for small towns, local governments, non-profits and rural businesses to receive expert support when they apply for broadband funding, Hardaway said. The ReConnecting Rural America Act will strengthen and reauthorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ReConnect Program, which looks to improve internet service speed requirements and ensure that communities most in need are prioritized for funding, she said. Sorensen has been a representative of Illinois' 17th congressional district, which is made up of an area that includes Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington and the Illinois side of the Quad Cities, since 2023, according to his website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
