West Coast Dems Lead Call To Fund Early Warning System For Earthquakes

"A group of Democrats representing western states has sent a letter to White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney urging the Trump administration to include funding for an earthquake early-warning system in the fiscal 2018 budget.

The group, which includes Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), along with 31 other lawmakers, urges Mulvaney to adopt Early Earthquake Warning (EEW) systems, such as those employed during Mexico City's earthquake last month.

The Democrats want Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to push for $16.1 million to be included in the budget for the continued development and operation of the EEW for the West Coast, called ShakeAlert."

John Bowden reports for The Hill October 31, 2017.