Sweeping bipartisan legislation to support weather research and predictions has passed the Senate. If approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the president, it will become the first major piece of weather legislation adopted since the early 1990s. The bill, Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2016, H.R. 1561, was approved unanimously in the Senate late Thursday. The bill’s stated purpose is “to improve the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration’s weather re... Read more

Constitution Day was celebrated in a special way in Tulsa when 67 people from other nations became U.S. citizens last week. The naturalization ceremony in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma was the second within two days. Earlier, 49 people became new citizens. Chief U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell noted the anniversary as he welcomed the candidates and their families to the fourth-floor courtroom. “This is a big day for all of us,” he said, “particularly for those ab... Read more

At the controls of the supersonic fighter plane as it roared off the runway was U.S. Sen. James Lankford, whose first concern on getting into the cockpit was the location of the ejection seat handle. Minutes later Congressman Jim Bridenstine, sitting in a sister but slightly different, version was catapulted from an aircraft carrier. Neither got more than a foot or two off the ground on Friday. They were in a trainer brought to Tulsa by the plane’s manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, to the Ducommun ... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Jim Bridenstine is supporting a bill aimed at providing improved weather data for forecasters. The bill would allow the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to purchase weather data from private companies, something it currently does not do. The Oklahoma Republican said the public may get improved warnings by using data from privately owned satellites instead of only relying on government satellites. “It should improve the model. In some cases, it may be better... Read more

TULSA, Oklahoma - Oklahoma Congressman Jim Bridenstine put a Tulsa non-profit in the spotlight Monday morning. He’s recognizing the work of the Wise Foundation, which provides emotional and psychological support to burn victims with disfiguring scars. The organization hosts conferences and retreats and is partnering with local colleges to offer one burn victim a full scholarship. "To also let the community know that burn survivors exist, that we are out there doing great work to serve them, but ... Read more

A draft version of a comprehensive space policy bill seeks to make changes to the management and regulation of space activities at NASA, the Defense Department, and other federal agencies while pushing the government to rely more on commercial capabilities. A draft copy of the American Space Renaissance Act, sponsored by Rep. James Bridenstine (R-Okla.), runs nearly 100 pages and includes sections that address national security, civil and commercial space policy. Bridenstine’s office is circulat... Read more

U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., was the featured speaker at the Arvest Bank Friday Forum at the Bartlesville east side branch on Friday, where he said his stance on not signing off on federal spending bills is not obstructionist, but an act to bring representation of the people back to Washington. “I want to be clear. I am not for a government shutdown, that’s what they want you to believe,” Bridenstine said. “I am for representing you in Washington, D.C., and when both parties collude to de... Read more

Pregnancy Resource Center of Owasso was the recipient of the First Congressional District Non-Profit in the Spotlight award Wednesday, Feb. 17. Congressman Jim Bridenstine recognized the center for its constituent recommendations and stories of service that are communicated to the First District congressional office. “What you’re doing for people that are in sometimes very desperate need of help is good and your commitment to life is something that’s very important to me personally,” said Briden... Read more

As the U.S. Air Force develops a long-term weather satellite strategy, the service also is considering using commercial weather data to meet gaps in its forecasting capabilities. In a request for information posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website in late December, the Air Force said it was looking for white papers that would describe industry’s “long-term interest in providing weather data as a commercial service, utilizing currently available or projected on-orbit weather capabili... Read more

U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) and House staffers have spent months drafting what they envision as a wide-reaching reform bill that would change how the Defense Department and NASA approach space acquisitions and operations. The legislation, which will be known as the American Space Renaissance Act and would serve as a kind of clearinghouse of reforms, has been whispered about between lawmakers, staff members and industry officials for several months. Bridenstine formally discussed the effo... Read more