TORNADO Act

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/s/258
Last Updated: October 8, 2025

Sponsored by

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

ID: W000437

Follow the money

The bill

TORNADO Act

S. 258, 119th Congress β€” read as touching Telecommunications.

The sponsor

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

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$682,800 raised

25 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

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 1, 2025

Introduced

πŸ“ Current Status

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

πŸ›οΈ

Committee Review

πŸ—³οΈ

Floor Action

βœ…

Passed Senate

πŸ›οΈ

House Review

πŸŽ‰

Passed Congress

πŸ–ŠοΈ

Presidential Action

βš–οΈ

Became Law

πŸ“š 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.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

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

Congress 119 β€’ 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
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$2,900
Feb 28, 2023
2
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,500
May 31, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 20, 2024
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$250
Mar 11, 2024
5
LUROS, HILARY
HOUSEWIFE β€’ HOUSEWIFE
IndividualSUGAR LAND, TX
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024
6
LUROS, HILARY
HOUSEWIFE β€’ HOUSEWIFE
IndividualSUGAR LAND, TX
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024
7
BESSENT, SCOTT
KEY SQUARE GROUP β€’ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
IndividualCHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Dec 31, 2024
8
FREEMAN, JOHN
HIGH PLAINS ACRES LLP β€’ ATTORNEY/AGRICULTURE
IndividualCHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Dec 31, 2024
9
CASTLE, JOHN
CASTLE HARLAN β€’ MERCHANT BANKER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 26, 2024
10
SEEMANN, WILLIAM III
SEEMANN COMPOSITES β€’ CHAIRMAN
IndividualPASS 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
COMTAMA, IA
$2,000
Aug 8, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
COMPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 23, 2024
3
WINRED
PACARLINGTON, VA
$25
Jul 4, 2024
4
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jan 10, 2024
5
SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN
BLACKSTONE β€’ CEO
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jan 16, 2024
6
KUMAR, SHALLI
AVG ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY β€’ CHAIR
IndividualBETTENDORF, IA
$6,600
Jun 11, 2024
7
STARRETT, RONALD
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualCENTENNIAL, CO
$5,800
Jan 24, 2023
8
COLLINS, RICHARD
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualMARSHALLTOWN, IA
$5,523
Oct 1, 2024
9
COLLINS, RICHARD
IndividualMARSHALLTOWN, IA
$5,523
Oct 7, 2024
10
WEISS, LUKE
HOOVER'S HATCHERY β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualMASON CITY, IA
$3,300
Dec 11, 2024

Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

ID: M000934

Top Contributors

10

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

Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

ID: S001232

Top Contributors

10

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

Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

ID: Y000064

Top Contributors

10

1
HESS, DANIEL L.
CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIES CORP. β€’ PRESIDENT/ OWNER
IndividualZIONSVILLE, IN
$10,000
Jul 1, 2024
2
SHUBLAK, MARK I.
ICE MILLER LLP β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$6,600
Oct 20, 2023
3
MCLEAN, SUZZY
SAGESURE β€’ INSURANCE
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$6,600
Oct 23, 2024
4
MCLEAN, TERRENCE
SAGESURE β€’ INSURANCE
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$6,600
Oct 23, 2024
5
BESSENT, SCOTT K.
KEY SQUARE GROUP β€’ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
IndividualCHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024
6
PATRICELLI, ROBERT E.
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualSIMSBURY, CT
$6,600
Mar 1, 2024
7
ANDREESSEN, MARC L.
ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ β€’ CO-FOUNDER
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
8
BRALY, DOUGLAS A. MR.
SELF EMPLOYED β€’ ACCOUNTANT
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$6,600
Sep 4, 2024
9
DIXON, CHRISTOPHER
ANDREESSEN HOROWITZ β€’ GENERAL PARTNER
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
10
HESS, LEANNA
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualZIONSVILLE, IN
$6,600
Aug 19, 2024

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

ID: C001098

Top Contributors

10

1
WINRED
PACARLINGTON, VA
$1,167,293
Nov 1, 2024
2
WINRED
PACARLINGTON, VA
$330,599
Nov 5, 2024
3
FASKEN MANAGEMENT
OrganizationMIDLAND, TX
$10,000
May 24, 2023
4
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF HARRISON COUNTY
OrganizationMARSHALL, TX
$4,000
Oct 16, 2024
5
FOLAD ENTERPRISES LLC
OrganizationPINELLAS PARK, FL
$2,000
May 20, 2024
6
BALCH & BINGHAM LLP
OrganizationBIRMINGHAM, AL
$1,000
May 20, 2024
7
PARTNERS HOTEL GROUP LLC
OrganizationMURPHY, TX
$1,000
Jun 7, 2023
8
KHAT INVESTMENS LLC
OrganizationMIDLAND, TX
$1,000
Jun 30, 2023
9
PJB INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC
OrganizationADDISON, TX
$800
May 1, 2024
10
GRANT MORELAND LP LLC
OrganizationGILMER, TX
$750
Sep 19, 2024

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

ID: P000595

Top Contributors

10

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

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

ID: W000790

Top Contributors

10

1
JME GROUP
OrganizationSTONE MOUNTAIN, GA
$2,900
Jun 30, 2023
2
JME GROUP
OrganizationSTONE MOUNTAIN, GA
$2,900
Jul 18, 2024
3
PORTFOLIO ONE
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,250
Mar 17, 2023
4
MCKENNEY HOUSE LLC
OrganizationFORT WASHINGTON, MD
$1,000
Jun 30, 2023
5
WATKINS WATKINS & WATKINS LLC
OrganizationCARROLLTON, GA
$1,000
Feb 17, 2023
6
SCR CONSULTING LLC
OrganizationATLANTA, GA
$500
Feb 17, 2023
7
GIBSON, DAVID H.
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$26,750
Mar 31, 2023
8
ROBBINS, BONNIE
IndividualSEATTLE, WA
$12,118
Mar 31, 2023
9
ROBBINS, BONNIE
IndividualSEATTLE, WA
$12,118
Jul 18, 2024
10
KERR, WILLIAM G.
IndividualOKLAHOMA CITY, OK
$9,625
Mar 31, 2023

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

ID: B001243

Top Contributors

10

1
FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY PAC
PACVIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$5,000
Apr 12, 2023
2
THE COGGIN GROUP
OrganizationMURFREESBORO, TN
$2,900
Mar 9, 2023
3
THE COGGIN GROUP
OrganizationMURFREESBORO, TN
$2,500
Mar 9, 2023
4
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
OrganizationLAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Apr 17, 2024
5
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
OrganizationLAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Mar 18, 2024
6
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$500
Mar 17, 2023
7
KING, RODNEY W.
SELF-EMPLOYED β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualGERMANTOWN, TN
$13,200
Apr 4, 2024
8
BEAN, BILL G.
HANNING & BEAN ENTERPRISES INC. β€’ REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualCOLUMBIA CITY, IN
$10,000
May 1, 2024
9
SMITH, THOMAS
PRESCOTT INVESTORS INC. β€’ INVESTOR
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$10,000
May 13, 2024
10
GAMBLE, KATHRYN
UNAKA CO β€’ BUSINESS EXECUTIVE
IndividualDALLAS, 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.

Loading...

Showing 54 nodes and 40 connections (40 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $757,385

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

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

5 Orgs16 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 helped.

  • +Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.80

    Section 3(b)(6)(F)(G) requires accounting for necessary changes in infrastructure, technology, and protocols for creating and disseminating federally operated watches and warnings, which could benefit telecom firms involved in alert dissemination systems.

  • Section 3(b)(6)(B) references validation of methods using data analysis supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, indicating potential funding or demand for AI/cloud services in hazard communication research.

  • Section 6(d)(1) investigates the role of uncrewed aerial systems in data collection during post-storm surveys, which may drive demand for engineering services related to drone integration and data processing.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β€” they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 24 contributions
    • ERGEN, CANTEY M. MRS.$6,600
    • MURRAY, KEVIN MR.$6,600
    • ERGEN, CHARLES MR.$6,600
    • WATSON, DAVE MR.$3,300
    • MURDOCK, DAN$2,500
  • from 2 contributions
    • SANKAR, SHYAM MR.$3,300
    • WANG, ALEX MR.$1,000
  • from 3 contributions
    • JANOUSH, J. PAUL MR.$1,000
    • KAUFMANN, MORRIS MR.$100

Related Bills