(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment hosted members of Congress in Houston for a field hearing, “Weathering the Storm: Improving Resiliency through Research”.

The members in attendance included Chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30); Committee members Reps. Brian Babin (TX-36), Pete Olson (TX-22), and Randy Weber (TX-14); and Houston Reps. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18).

The members of Congress and members of the public heard from experts from the National Weather Service, the University of Houston, Rice University, and One Concern on the importance of investing in weather research to improve prediction, preparedness, and resiliency before a catastrophic weather event.

“While hurricane forecasts have improved tremendously, we still need to continue to improve our hurricane forecasts, and to better understand what to expect during hurricane season in both the short- and long-term. Hurricane forecasts help us understand the new normal we are facing, informing research needed to develop resilience to increasingly extreme hurricanes. This means broad investments into interdisciplinary research that can address tough problems. That is why we are here today,” said Congresswoman Fletcher. “I appreciated hearing from the experts who highlighted the need to invest in weather research as these storms become more common, especially in coastal communities like ours. I would also like to thank the bipartisan group of my colleagues from the Committee and around Houston who participated in the hearing today.”

Congresswoman Fletcher has worked with a bipartisan group of Texas members to secure funding necessary to recover after Harvey, invest in weather research to prepare for future storms, and cut red tape to expedite building projects. As the Chair of the Environment Subcommittee, Fletcher has also held hearings on weather forecasting and the effects of climate change on coastal communities.