Schumer, Democrats Seek Probe of Texas Flood Deaths

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and other top Democrats have called for an investigation into whether staffing shortages and budget cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS), enacted during the Trump administration, contributed to the Texas floods that killed an estimated 80–95 people, including many children. Schumer's letter to the Commerce Department’s inspector general cited reports of critical vacancies at NWS offices in San Antonio and San Angelo during the disaster. While Democrats and media have linked the tragedy to federal budget cuts, the White House and NWS stated that warnings were issued in a timely manner and that staffing was sufficient. Local officials and experts highlighted that failures in local emergency communication may have also contributed to the high death toll. The Department of Homeland Security and the White House rejected claims that federal cuts were responsible. The incident has intensified scrutiny of weather alert systems and the role of government staffing in public safety.