The White House budget recently unveiled for fiscal year 2019 cuts funding to the earthquake warning system by more than $10 million.
The Los Angeles Times pointed out that the budget proposal, which is unlikely to be adopted in its current form, slashes funding to the U.S. Geological Survey program by $10.2 million. Overall, the budget erases $12.8 million from the earthquake hazards program.
The budget proposal cuts the earthquake hazards staff from 240 to 222, which includes 15 workers that are currently assigned to the earthquake warning system program.
"A functioning earthquake early warning system can provide critical life-saving benefits, which is why there's broad bipartisan support to fund it in Congress," said Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., the Times reported. "I will continue to advocate for the development and funding for the earthquake early warning system. This is a system the West Coast needs to have in place."
A system in Mexico provided a 60-second warning before last Friday's 7.2-magnitude quake that struck south of Mexico City. The system is also used in Japan and Taiwan.
The White House's fiscal year 2018 budget, released last May, also proposed cuts to the earthquake warning system.
The U.S. does not yet have a functioning system to warn of an impending earthquake. According to the Times, 800 more sensing stations are needed.
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