Group 1 - The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, attributed the severe flooding in Texas, which resulted in over a hundred fatalities, to "divine will" and stated it was "not the government's fault" [1] - The flooding has led to at least 161 people reported missing and at least 109 confirmed deaths, marking it as one of the most severe floods in the United States in a century [3] - Criticism arose from social media users regarding the government's preparedness and response, highlighting the importance of accurate weather forecasting and the impact of budget cuts to meteorological services [2][3] Group 2 - Following the return of President Trump to the White House, he repealed the previous administration's climate policies, which included budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service [2] - Democratic Senator Chris Murphy criticized the cuts, suggesting they contributed to the disaster's severity, emphasizing that accurate weather forecasts are crucial in preventing fatalities [2] - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer requested an investigation into whether the staffing cuts in federal meteorological departments were a factor in the high casualty rate from the flooding [2]

Group 1 - The flooding in Central Texas has resulted in at least 80 fatalities, with 41 confirmed missing and more unaccounted for, as reported by Texas Governor Abbott [1][2] - The flooding was exacerbated by Tropical Storm "Barry," which made landfall in Mexico and combined with moisture from the East Pacific, leading to severe rainfall in the region known for its susceptibility to flash floods [2] - The National Weather Service has faced criticism for perceived forecasting failures and inadequate flood warnings, with President Trump declaring the Texas disaster as a "once-in-a-century" event [2][3] Group 2 - The region's topography, characterized by shallow soil layers over hard rock, steep elevation changes, and narrow valleys, contributes to rapid surface runoff and severe flooding [2] - Following the disaster, the Trump administration's budget proposal for 2026 includes cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather and climate research labs, which could hinder future weather prediction advancements [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's past actions in the area of climate policy have been described as "minimal" [1] Group 1 - The Federal Reserve is considering withdrawing guidance related to climate risks [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that the Federal Reserve will not act as a climate policy maker, emphasizing the central bank's focus on monetary policy rather than environmental issues [1] Group 1 - The Federal Reserve's primary responsibility is to manage monetary policy and ensure financial stability, rather than to engage in climate-related policymaking [1] - Powell highlighted the importance of maintaining the Fed's independence and not allowing it to be influenced by political or environmental agendas [1] - The statement reflects a broader debate on the role of central banks in addressing climate change and the potential implications for their traditional mandates [1]