Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23) and Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) have introduced the bipartisan Weather Alert Response and Notification Act (WARN Act) for the 119th Congress. This legislation seeks to improve the reliability and effectiveness of local alert systems during severe weather events, a priority highlighted by failures observed during Winter Storm Elliott.
The bill mandates a study by the Comptroller General of the United States to assess current weather alert systems. The evaluation will focus on how well these systems convey life-saving warnings, such as travel bans and power outages, and explore new technologies to enhance emergency communication.
“In times of emergency, one of the best things we can do to save lives and mitigate damage is to ensure there is an accurate and reliable public notification system,” Langworthy stated, referencing the storm’s chaotic communication breakdowns. He described the act as crucial to developing a streamlined, nationwide alert system, emphasizing that it received unanimous support during its previous introduction in the 118th Congress.
Davids, whose home state of Kansas is often hit by severe weather, echoed Langworthy’s concerns. “We’ve seen local instances where sirens didn’t go off when they should have, and others where they sounded without a real threat,” she noted. These inconsistencies, she said, create public confusion and undermine trust. Davids stressed the importance of modernizing the system to provide clear, timely warnings for communities at risk.
Seventeen other lawmakers have signed on as original co-sponsors, including Representatives Dan Meuser (R-PA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Bennie Thompson (D-MS). Support also comes from Delegates such as James Moylan (R-GU) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).
The WARN Act, a product of bipartisan cooperation, aims to ensure that when disaster strikes, Americans receive reliable, life-saving information without delays or errors.
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