Political Quotes

“I also include in the Record an op-ed from The Hill dated September 10, 2020, by Dr. Antonio Busalacchi, who supports this bill. [From the Hill, Sept. 10, 2020] Congress Needs To Finalize Spa Weather Bill as Solar Storms Pose Heightened Threat (By Antonio J. Busalacchi) The COVID-19 pandemic has left us more dependent than ever on advanced information and communication technologies, with many businesses and schools relying on a range of remote services. In this environment, building resilience to potential threats that can disrupt society's essential daily activities is critical. For this reason, it is heartening to see Congress advancing legislation to better protect the nation from solar storms that spew millions of tons of charged matter toward Earth. Such space weather events can distort GPS signals, scramble satellite operations, and disable communications and power systems, with serious consequences for our economy and armed services--a particularly major concern as the Pentagon prepares for future space-based conflicts. Significant space weather events occur every decade or so with far-reaching and destructive consequences. A powerful solar storm in 1989 cut off power to millions of Canadians, and major storms in 2003 affected more than half of Earth- orbiting spacecraft. Just three years ago, solar flares caused radio blackouts for hours during critical emergency response efforts to approaching hurricanes in the Caribbean and nearby regions.…”