WASHINGTON, D.C. – In light of this week’s release of the Department of Commerce Inspector General report, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today released the following statement regarding the nomination of Michael Walsh to be the General Counsel of the Department of Commerce:

“NOAA should be the premier weather forecasting agency in the world, not falling behind in technology to Europe, and certainly not suppressing science.

“Key industries from shipping, aviation, space, and farming count on accurate weather information to make business decisions that are crucial to growing our economy and protecting workers. From hurricanes in the southeast to fighting wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, good science keeps us safe.

“The Inspector General report makes clear that Michael Walsh was instrumental in suppressing scientific information at NOAA.

Therefore I cannot support Mr. Walsh’s nomination to be promoted to General Counsel. We can't afford to play politics with science.”

Yesterday, Ranking Member Cantwell announced her intention to oppose the nomination of Neil Jacobs to be NOAA Administrator for his own role in the “Sharpiegate” scandal.

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