TORNADO Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/258
Last Updated: October 9, 2025

Sponsored by

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

ID: W000437

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 88.

June 2, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another bill, another exercise in futility. Let's dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The TORNADO Act (because who doesn't love a good acronym?) claims to improve forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather events. How noble. In reality, it's just a vehicle for politicians to pretend they care about public safety while lining the pockets of their buddies in the meteorological industrial complex.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill creates an "Office" within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to simplify and improve communication of hazardous weather risks. Because, apparently, the current system is too complicated for the average American to understand. Newsflash: it's not the messaging that's the problem, it's the politicians who can't be bothered to fund adequate infrastructure.

The Office will also develop metrics to track the effectiveness of their communications. Oh boy, more bureaucratic busywork. And, of course, there are provisions for "coordination" with various stakeholders, because nothing says "effective governance" like a bunch of bureaucrats talking to each other in circles.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

* NOAA: Gets to create another office and hire more bureaucrats. * Meteorological industry: Will likely receive more funding for research and development. * Politicians: Get to pretend they care about public safety while taking credit for "improving" the system. * The public: Will continue to be at risk from hazardous weather events, but hey, at least the warnings will be prettier.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

This bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It's a token effort to address a complex problem that requires real investment in infrastructure and research. Instead, we get more bureaucratic posturing and pork-barrel politics.

The "improved" communication system might lead to slightly better warnings, but it won't make a dent in the actual risk of hazardous weather events. And with the added bureaucracy, there's a good chance that the Office will become just another obstacle for real research and innovation to navigate around.

In short, this bill is a classic case of "legislative theater" – all show, no substance. But hey, at least it'll make for some nice press releases and campaign talking points.

Related Topics

Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Transportation & Infrastructure State & Local Government Affairs National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures Government Operations & Accountability Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$682,800
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$44,500
Committees
$0
Individuals
$638,300

No PAC contributions found

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
1 transaction
$25,000
2
MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
1 transaction
$15,000
3
WT CONSULTANTS LLC
1 transaction
$2,500
4
WAYPOINT CONSULTING, LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
5
HEDERMAN BROTHERS, LLC
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
HALE, ROBERT T. JR.
2 transactions
$150,000
2
CHOUEST, GARY
1 transaction
$100,000
3
DUFF, THOMAS M.
2 transactions
$75,000
4
BLUE, J. NEAL
1 transaction
$50,000
5
GOLDING, STEPHEN D.
2 transactions
$50,000
6
ELLIOTT, MAC
1 transaction
$25,000
7
GOLDING, MELODY
1 transaction
$25,000
8
YATES, WILLIAM G. JR.
1 transaction
$25,000
9
ACKERMAN, FORREST
1 transaction
$25,000
10
VAN DEVENDER, WILLIAM J.
2 transactions
$25,000
11
TURNAGE, BEN O.
1 transaction
$19,900
12
MCRAE, DAVID
1 transaction
$18,400
13
GREEN, JOHNSON M.
1 transaction
$15,000
14
HURST, PAUL
1 transaction
$12,500
15
BARBOUR, HALEY
1 transaction
$12,500
16
CHOUEST AUSTIN, DIONNE
1 transaction
$10,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 9 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

ID: H001079

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$2,900
Feb 28, 2023
2
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$1,500
May 31, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 20, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$250
Mar 11, 2024
5
LUROS, HILARY
HOUSEWIFE HOUSEWIFE
Individual SUGAR LAND, TX
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024
6
LUROS, HILARY
HOUSEWIFE HOUSEWIFE
Individual SUGAR LAND, TX
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024
7
BESSENT, SCOTT
KEY SQUARE GROUP INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Individual CHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Dec 31, 2024
8
FREEMAN, JOHN
HIGH PLAINS ACRES LLP ATTORNEY/AGRICULTURE
Individual CHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Dec 31, 2024
9
CASTLE, JOHN
CASTLE HARLAN MERCHANT BANKER
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 26, 2024
10
SEEMANN, WILLIAM III
SEEMANN COMPOSITES CHAIRMAN
Individual PASS CHRISTIAN, MS
$6,600
Jun 20, 2024

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

ID: G000386

Top Contributors

10

1
SAC & FOX TRIBE OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
COM TAMA, IA
$2,000
Aug 8, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
COM PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 23, 2024
3
WINRED
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$25
Jul 4, 2024
4
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jan 10, 2024
5
SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN
BLACKSTONE CEO
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jan 16, 2024
6
KUMAR, SHALLI
AVG ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CHAIR
Individual BETTENDORF, IA
$6,600
Jun 11, 2024
7
STARRETT, RONALD
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual CENTENNIAL, CO
$5,800
Jan 24, 2023
8
COLLINS, RICHARD
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual MARSHALLTOWN, IA
$5,523
Oct 1, 2024
9
COLLINS, RICHARD
Individual MARSHALLTOWN, IA
$5,523
Oct 7, 2024
10
WEISS, LUKE
HOOVER'S HATCHERY PRESIDENT
Individual MASON CITY, IA
$3,300
Dec 11, 2024

Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

ID: M000934

Top Contributors

10

1
BORCK, LEON H.
INNOVATIVE LIVESTOCK SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Individual MANHATTAN, KS
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024
2
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
DMM PROPRIETA MANAGEMENT MANAGER
Individual ASPEN, CO
$6,600
Sep 26, 2024
3
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
SOROBAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LP MANAGING PARTNER
Individual ASPEN, CO
$6,600
Sep 26, 2024
4
CATZ, SAFRA
ORACLE CORPORATION CEO
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$5,000
May 5, 2023
5
MISSION INDIANS, MORONGO BAND OF
INDIAN TRIBE INDIAN TRIBE
Individual BANNING, CA
$5,000
Aug 13, 2024
6
WILLIS, THOMAS M
CONESTOGA ENERGY PARTNERS CEO
Individual LIBERAL, KS
$5,000
Aug 26, 2024
7
WEILERT, STANLEY R
S&B MOTELS, INC. HOTELIER
Individual WICHITA, KS
$3,500
Jun 26, 2023
8
BORCK, JACKIE
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Individual MANHATTAN, KS
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
9
BORCK, JACKIE
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Individual MANHATTAN, KS
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
10
THOMAS, ROBERT
SENIOR STAR CO-OWNER
Individual TULSA, OK
$3,300
Feb 22, 2024

Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

ID: S001232

Top Contributors

10

1
CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,720
Jun 27, 2024
2
CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,720
Jun 27, 2024
3
CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,720
Jun 27, 2024
4
CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,720
Jun 27, 2024
5
CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,720
Jun 27, 2024
6
SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,609
Jun 21, 2024
7
SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,609
Jun 21, 2024
8
SENATE CONSERVATIVES FUND
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,609
Jun 21, 2024
9
REPUBLICAN JEWISH COALITION-POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RJC-PAC)
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,000
Jun 25, 2024
10
REPUBLICAN JEWISH COALITION-POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RJC-PAC)
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$7,000
Jun 25, 2024

Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

ID: Y000064

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN GRAPHICS PRINTING
Organization CLINTON TWP, MI
$622
Sep 20, 2023
2
SERENA GOJCAJ PHOTOGRAPHY
Organization MACOMB, MI
$575
Sep 24, 2023
3
USPS
Organization ROCHESTER HILLS, MI
$221
Aug 25, 2023
4
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
5
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
6
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
7
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$3,300
Jul 28, 2023
8
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
9
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Jul 25, 2024
10
AT&T INC & ITS AFFLIATES
Organization SACRAMENTO, CA
$3,000
Mar 5, 2024

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

ID: C001098

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$1,167,293
Nov 1, 2024
2
WINRED
PAC ARLINGTON, VA
$330,599
Nov 5, 2024
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$3,300
Aug 29, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Aug 29, 2024
5
ALABAMA- COUSHATTA TRIBE
Organization LIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Oct 16, 2024
6
KONEHU LEGACY, LLC
Organization TAMUNING, GU
$100
Oct 3, 2024
7
PACIFIC LIFESTYLE IMPORTS, LLC
Organization YIGO, GU
$100
Oct 11, 2024
8
FASKEN MANAGEMENT
Organization MIDLAND, TX
$10,000
May 24, 2023
9
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF HARRISON COUNTY
Organization MARSHALL, TX
$4,000
Oct 16, 2024
10
FOLAD ENTERPRISES LLC
Organization PINELLAS PARK, FL
$2,000
May 20, 2024

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

ID: P000595

Top Contributors

10

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization SHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
2
STRATEGIC LINK CONSULTING, LP
Organization KENNESAW, GA
$3,300
May 28, 2024
3
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
Organization AUBURN, WA
$3,300
Aug 11, 2023
4
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$2,900
May 29, 2024
5
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$2,900
May 29, 2024
6
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$2,900
May 28, 2024
7
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Jan 9, 2024
8
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024
9
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024
10
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024

Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

ID: W000790

Top Contributors

10

1
JME GROUP
Organization STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
$2,900
Jun 30, 2023
2
JME GROUP
Organization STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
$2,900
Jul 18, 2024
3
PORTFOLIO ONE
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$1,250
Mar 17, 2023
4
MCKENNEY HOUSE LLC
Organization FORT WASHINGTON, MD
$1,000
Jun 30, 2023
5
WATKINS WATKINS & WATKINS LLC
Organization CARROLLTON, GA
$1,000
Feb 17, 2023
6
SCR CONSULTING LLC
Organization ATLANTA, GA
$500
Feb 17, 2023
7
GIBSON, DAVID H.
Individual DALLAS, TX
$26,750
Mar 31, 2023
8
ROBBINS, BONNIE
Individual SEATTLE, WA
$12,118
Mar 31, 2023
9
ROBBINS, BONNIE
Individual SEATTLE, WA
$12,118
Jul 18, 2024
10
KERR, WILLIAM G.
Individual OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
$9,625
Mar 31, 2023

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

ID: B001243

Top Contributors

10

1
FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY PAC
PAC VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$5,000
Apr 12, 2023
2
THE COGGIN GROUP
Organization MURFREESBORO, TN
$2,900
Mar 9, 2023
3
THE COGGIN GROUP
Organization MURFREESBORO, TN
$2,500
Mar 9, 2023
4
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
Organization LAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Apr 17, 2024
5
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
Organization LAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Mar 18, 2024
6
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
Organization ARLINGTON, VA
$500
Mar 17, 2023
7
KING, RODNEY W.
SELF-EMPLOYED ATTORNEY
Individual GERMANTOWN, TN
$13,200
Apr 4, 2024
8
BEAN, BILL G.
HANNING & BEAN ENTERPRISES INC. REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
Individual COLUMBIA CITY, IN
$10,000
May 1, 2024
9
SMITH, THOMAS
PRESCOTT INVESTORS INC. INVESTOR
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$10,000
May 13, 2024
10
GAMBLE, KATHRYN
UNAKA CO BUSINESS EXECUTIVE
Individual DALLAS, TX
$9,900
Jul 15, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 39 nodes and 40 connections

Total contributions: $735,603

Top Donors - Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

5 Orgs16 Individuals