Full Committee Markup of 2 Bills
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House Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives
Follow its sittingsSpeaker 1
Thank you. The gentleman yields back. The chair reminds members that pursuant to the committee rules, all members' opening statements will be made part of the record. Are there further opening statements? Gentlemen from Florida, you're recognized for three minutes for an opening statement.
Speaker 4
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan First Responder Network Reauthorization Act, and I thank Representative McCollin for coleading this legislation with me. I'd also like to note that this bill has support from 16 public safety organizations that demonstrate broad support for the legislation among our first responders. Chairman Guthrie, I'd like to ask for unanimous consent to submit into the records that report. Thank you.
FirstNet is not just a network. It is the backbone of public safety communications in this country. When Congress first established the First Responder Network, the objective was clear: build a preemptive network for first responders that they could rely on. These brave men and women, the ones who step forward or others step back, who risk their lives to protect our communities, deserve nothing less than a resilient communication system. They depend on this network every day, at every kind of emergency.
FirstNet's authority is set to expire at the end of this year. Without action, this congress, we put at risk a network that our first responders rely on to save lives. The bill before us extends that authority through 09/30/2037, giving FirstNet the long-term certainty it needs to plan ahead and continue investing in this critical infrastructure. FirstNet is especially essential for communities such as my home state of Florida. It plays a critical role in preparedness, response, and recovery when disasters strike.
My constituents understand all too well how devastating the impact of hurricanes and tropical storms can have on our communities and our communications. Over the past eight years, The Panhandle has endured four major hurricanes, most recently Helene, and most devastatingly, Hurricane Michael. In those moments when lives are on the line and every second counts, reliable communication should not be in question. I just wanna take a moment to thank the brave men and women across the country for their service and sacrifice, and a special thank you to Walton County's very own sheriff Michael Atkinson for his leadership and dedication to FirstNet keeping our communities safe. Our first responders have never stopped showing up for us.
It's long past time we showed up for them. Thank you, mister chairman, for your work on this priority, and I yield back.
Speaker 1
Thank you for your work. If the gentleman yields back, and the chair recognizes Miss Matt Swee for three minutes for an opening statement.
Speaker 5
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Today's markup reauthorizing FirstNet is an important step forward for public safety. I'm happy we reached this point through a strong bipartisan process. FirstNet has made a real difference for first responders across the country. We see the impact clearly in my district.
From Downtown Sacramento to the California Delta, our firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement are responding to wildfires that move fast, floods that threaten communities, and disasters that can knock out local infrastructure in a matter of minutes. They need priority service, strong coverage, and a network that performs when conditions are at their worst. When those calls come in, when evacuations are underway, and when crews are coordinating across agencies, a reliable connection is more than a convenience. It is essential to keep people safe. FirstNet's mission remains just as important today as when Congress first created it, and I want to recognize the bipartisan work that's gone into improving this bill.
We're protecting what works and fixing what doesn't. We're ensuring FirstNet is working as intended and delivering real value for public safety. That means strengthening oversight and accountability. Congress and the public deserve a clear picture of how funds are being spent, where their commitments are being met, and whether public safety goals are truly being achieved. It also means making sure the benefits of FirstNet reach all communities, including the rural and hard-to-serve areas that too often get left behind.
And that's why I'm glad this bill places FirstNet under NTIA's direct control while preserving flexibility for FirstNet authority to set strategic priorities and deploy emergency responses. These guardrails improve accountability while respecting the expertise of our public safety community. And importantly, now that Congress finally has access to the FirstNet contract, we are better positioned to provide the rigorous oversight this program deserves. That access helps Congress verify investments, track performances, and keep FirstNet on the right path. That's how we make sure this program remains worthy of the trust that first responders and the public have placed in it.
I wanna thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work on this bill, and look forward to working together as we move it forward. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Speaker 1
Thank you. The gentlelady from California yields back. Are there further opening statements? Seeing no further opening statements, the chair calls up HR 7386 and asks the clerk to report.
Speaker 6
HR 7386, a bill to amend the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to reauthorize the First Responders Network Authority and for other purposes.
Speaker 1
Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with, and the bill will be open for amendment at any point. So, orders, anybody seek to be recognized on the bill? For our purposes, gentlemen from North Carolina seek recognition.
Speaker 7
Thank you, and good morning to everyone. I am thrilled to be here to support Representative Dunn and Representative Pfluger's important lifesaving public safety bills that are before us, including the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act and the Mystic Alerts Act, a bill to kick-start satellite transmission of wireless emergency alerts. It's been a long process to get to where we are today. Over the last several months, we've heard from multiple panels of witnesses who shared their expertise and experience with FirstNet and provided input on how this legislation would improve the network and ensure it operates in the best interests of public safety. Their testimony helped shape the original text of the first NET reauthorization bill.
Since our legislative hearing in January, we have been engaged in open negotiations with public safety organizations and other stakeholders to address concerns and incorporate recommendations. Multiple drafts were shared back and forth as we continued to improve this legislation. I'd like to thank the public safety organizations that came to the table to help define the board's continued influence over the future of this network. Your participation helped us improve this legislation. To those who still oppose this legislation because they believe the only path forward for reauthorization is a clean reauthorization with no reforms and to strike the sunset date and remove congressional oversight and review forever, that was never on the table or an appropriate path forward.
This legislation strikes an important balance that explicitly outlines and preserves the board's role in determining the needs of public safety and the strategic direction of the network, while ensuring the proper and responsible oversight of the network and the reinvestment of funds. We heard directly from NTIA's public testimony that they rely on the board to provide crucial expertise and direction on the needs of public safety. This legislation preserves that existing relationship and goes even further to strengthen public safety's voice by requiring two additional seats on the board to be dedicated to public safety. I firmly believe this legislation will pave the way for a stronger and more resilient first responder network authority. Mister chairman, I'd also like to thank my colleagues across the aisle.
We have worked very closely together. I think this is the most bipartisan piece of legislation I've worked on in this Congress. And I wanna particularly thank representative McClellan for her hard work and her expertise. She brought so much experience to the table. She has been invaluable in this process from day one.
And without her engagement, input, and hard work, we would not be where we are today. So thank you, Representative McClellan. Also wanna thank our ranking member, Miss Matt Suey, for her engagement, and our chairman ranking member, Mister Palom. I'm gonna hear about that, Palom. But once you're chairman, you're always chairman.
Right? But I wanna thank the Matt Suey and Palom teams. Their staff worked with us tirelessly, weekends, nights, side by side, to really committed to making this legislation better. And I think that's really important to point out and emphasize and celebrate. And, look forward to reauthorizing the first responder network authority.
I look forward to moving this forward today, and I thank all of our committee members for your participation. And with that, mister chairman, I'll yield back.
Speaker 1
Thank you. The gentleman yields back. The true recognized gentle lady from Virginia to speak on the I tell you, we can call your amendment, then everybody who wants to speak on the bill can call can speak to the amendment. So, okay. You wanna for our personal gentle lady from Virginia seek recognition?
Speaker 2
I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk labeled ANS_04. Great.
Speaker 1
Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentlelady is recognized for five minutes in support of the amendment.
Speaker 2
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment ref reflects extensive bipartisan work with Doctor Dunn, our colleagues, and most importantly, the public safety community. At its core, we have a simple but critical goal, making sure that the FirstNet network continues to work for the men and women who rely on it in life-or-death situations. First, this amendment strengthens public safety's role on the FirstNet Authority Board by increasing the minimum number of board members who are public safety professionals to five, and staggering board terms to ensure continuity and leadership. It also gives the board a more meaningful role in selecting the director of FirstNet by formalizing its duty to provide a list of qualified candidates to the NTIA from which NTIA will choose.
Second, it reinforces accountability while avoiding unnecessary delays. The amendment ensures that the board will review and consult on the business continuity and disaster recovery plan, which is critical to ensuring rapid network restoration during emergencies. At the same time, it clarifies that FirstNet may carry out key operational and strategic functions without prior NTIA approval, addressing a key concern of the public safety stakeholders that bureaucratic delays could hinder timely decision-making. Importantly, this flexibility is paired with accountability by requiring NTIA to respond within 60 days to first net recommendations on reinvestment and task orders. We heard clearly from first responders that they need a network that is reliable, resilient, and able to adapt quickly in emergencies.
This amendment delivers on that goal by strengthening accountability while preserving the flexibility FirstNet needs to operate in real time. It ensures that public safety voices remain at the center of decision-making, improves coordination and transparency, and removes unnecessary barriers that could slow down action when every second counts. Just as importantly, this amendment reflects a thoughtful bipartisan compromise. We worked through areas of disagreement, listened to the stakeholders, and made targeted changes to ensure the bill supports FirstNet's mission without creating unintended consequences. As emergencies become more frequent and complex, the importance of this network continues to grow.
And this legislation helps ensure FirstNet remains strong, responsive, and ready to meet those challenges. This is a good bill, and this amendment makes it even better. I'd like to thank Doctor Dunn for his partnership on this important legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment in the nature of a substitute and the underlying bill. I yield back.
Speaker 1
Thanks. The gentleman yields back, and the chair recognizes Mr. Joyce. Doctor Joyce from Pennsylvania for five minutes to speak on the amendment.
Speaker 8
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. FirstNet is a critical component of public safety communications in the district that I represent in Pennsylvania. It is an incredibly rural district, but not just rural districts in Pennsylvania benefit from FirstNet. FirstNet provides first responders the ability to respond to emergency situations throughout the United States with the most effective communication system that is possible. In an emergency, we all know there's no time to waste.
First responders across the country know the grave consequences that can happen when a 911 call is dropped or communication systems fail in the seconds that matter the most. At Shade Gap Volunteer Fire Company in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, firefighters utilized the FirstNet system to save lives. Before the FirstNet system tower was installed in 2022, firefighters faced dropped 911 calls that were difficult to hear even when they did come through, or sometimes the phone calls did not come through. There are cases when individuals had to drive just to allow their 911 call to be received. Shade Gap volunteer fire company president Tanner Locke said that with FirstNet coverage in their area, firefighters have not had one single dropped 911 call since 2022.
That's right. Not one single dropped 9-1-1 call. The FirstNet upgrade has allowed first responders to respond to emergencies, when we all know that time is of the essence. In the previous subcommittee hearing on this important piece of legislation, I questioned witnesses on the transparency of the FirstNet contract and, specifically, its rural build-out. We must focus on transparency of the contract between the federal government and AT&T to ensure that areas like Huntington County, Pennsylvania, are not being left behind as deployment of this critical infrastructure accelerates.
The provisions that are included in HR 7386, the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act, will strengthen this essential program. By providing NTIA with the means necessary to conduct oversight and requiring detailed reporting on the performance of the FirstNet contractor, Congress can ensure that transparency and accountability are at the center as we continue to invest in public safety communications infrastructures in the United States. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. And, mister chairman, I yield back.
Speaker 1
The gentleman yields back their discussion on the Democrat side. The gentlelady from Michigan seeks recognition to speak on the amendment.
Speaker 9
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move to strike the last word. Thank you. I wanna thank representatives Don and McCullen for their bipartisan leadership on this bill, as well as chair Guthrie and ranking member Pallone for their work to move this important bipartisan legislation forward. FirstNet is absolutely essential to public safety in Michigan and across the country.
It's a lifeline for first responders, many of whom we see in this room. So thank you for being here. In my district, fire departments, police departments, EMS, and the University of Michigan rely on FirstNet every day. Close to 1,000 public safety agencies across Michigan use FirstNet. In my district alone, there are more than 10,000 FirstNet subscribers.
And across the country, the network now supports over 7,000,000 connections and covers 3,000,000 square miles. FirstNet has proven its value time and time again during severe weather, large-scale disasters, and other operations and emergencies. When everything else fails, reliable and resilient communication can save lives. And that's why Congress has had a responsibility to ensure FirstNet continues to serve public safety first and foremost. I believe reauthorizing FirstNet is critical and necessary.
Extending FirstNet's authority through 2037 ensures stability, while we build on its success. And as we do so, we are working together to ensure proper safeguards are in place to preserve an independent voice for first responders and how the network is governed and operated, while maintaining new oversight authority under NTIA. I believe the bill before us, with the hard work of our two coleaders, strikes that balance. FirstNet's public-private partnership and self-sustaining funding model has driven innovation, expanded coverage, and we must preserve that progress while continuing to assure accountability, fair competition, and continued modernization. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get FirstNet reauthorized now and get it right.
We have incorporated lessons we've learned since its creation to ensure we are prioritizing public safety while strengthening resiliency and modernization. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back.
Speaker 1
General lady yells back. The chair will recognize the gentleman from Idaho for five minutes to speak on the amendment.
Speaker 10
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is actually to the underlying bill. Gentleman's recognized. Thank you. Mister chairman, I thank my colleagues for bringing this forward and certainly recognize the importance of it.
I do wanna go on record, however, just pointing out that the Office of Inspector General in a recent audit did show a number of what they call critical reports. And, again, this is incredibly important to proceed with, and so I intend on supporting it. But as sometimes privately owned entities with government funding can do, there sometimes is a lack of accountability. And I just wanna go on the record by saying, look. We need to be assured that these goals are being met, and I don't wanna lose sight of the overall need for accountability.
That said, I will be supporting the bill, but wanted to go on record with that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Speaker 1
Gentleman, as yields back, the chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida for five minutes to speak on the amendment.
Speaker 11
Thank you, chairman. During hurricanes, flooding, fires, even freezes in Central Florida, reliable communication is critical for our brave first responders to be able to save lives. Congress stepped up after nine eleven to create the FirstNet system with spectrum sale proceeds, with an audacious goal that every community, no matter how rural or urban, has access to dependable communications. Every American deserves that protection. I had contacted a lot of our local Central Florida law enforcement agencies and emergency-response agencies.
We see all three of our counties and all of our major cities in the region, from Osceola and Orange to Pope County, and all of our cities support and are utilizing this program. From our Osceola County emergency manager, Bill Litton, he had mentioned we have a good experience with the service and the resources from FirstNet that they can provide our county pre and post disaster, and went on to mention that FirstNet had added two additional towers to the area. We heard in committee testimony about billions of dollars in new investment provided by the provider AT&T. This is a key public-private partnership, and I'm proud to support this ten-year reauthorization, and I yield back.
Speaker 1
Jimin yields back. The chair will recognize anybody on the Republican side seeking recognition. Gentlemen from Texas seek recognition to speak on the amendment. You're recognized for five minutes.
Speaker 12
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In my district, FirstNet is not some abstract policy. It's a daily necessity. Local first responders rely on FirstNet every day to maintain secure, reliable communication during emergencies, natural disasters, and major incidents. In Tarrant County, FirstNet also plays an important role in supporting the district attorney's office by ensuring smooth coordination with law enforcement and public safety partners, particularly during high-risk operations and large-scale investigations.
I wanna also recognize the strong role of the private sector partnering support FirstNet in our region. Their ongoing investment, local engagement, and commitment to public safety have made a meaningful difference for first responders in the broader community in North Texas. The reliability priority and that FirstNet provides directly enhances public safety outcomes in my district. And I appreciate the continued focus on strengthening and sustaining this network for those who protect our communities. I look forward to supporting this bill for everyone back home in my district.
I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
Speaker 1
Jimin yells back. Is there further? So the gentleman from California, recognized doctor Rees, recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment.
Speaker 13
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As an emergency medicine physician also trained in disaster aid, I can't stress enough how FirstNet is a lifeline. It's not just a program. It's a lifeline. It's a difference between chaos and coordination when disaster strikes, especially in rural and underserved communities like those I represent in the Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley.
It's the difference between getting the information that first responders need to do their job safely versus people dying because they don't have the speed, the coordination, the assistance, and the help from our heroes who are putting themselves in harm's way in order to save lives. In my district, we face wildfires, extreme heat, and poor air quality events that threaten lives and overwhelm local response systems. We're right on top of the San Andreas Fault, so we're always vigilant of the big one, the big earthquake that may arise. Already in the month of March, our temperatures are about 116 degrees, about 20 degrees above the average. During these types of emergencies, when traditional networks become congested or fail, FirstNet ensures that our firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement officers stay connected so that they can save lives.
That's why I have consistently supported the reauthorization of FirstNet since its earliest consideration in this subcommittee. I've pushed for continued investment in network reliability, rural coverage, and deployable assets so that no community is left behind when it matters most. But our work is not done. As we look ahead, we must ensure FirstNet keeps pace with evolving threats and technologies, and we have to make sure that all of our communities have access to FirstNet and other types of programs like this where first responders can be guaranteed and feel secure, confident, and they can trust in their communication systems when all hell breaks loose. That means strengthening coverage gaps, improving interoperability, and ensuring equitable access for all first responders, whether they serve in dense urban centers or remote desert communities like mine.
Reauthorizing FirstNet is about preparedness and resilience. It's about protecting the men and women who risked their lives to protect us. So I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and reaffirm our commitment to the safety of our communities and our first responders. I yield back.
Speaker 1
Gentlemen, yields back. Are there any speakers on the Republican side who wish to speak on the amendment? Seeing none, Mister Carter from Louisiana recognized for five minutes to speak on the amendment. Mister Carter, do you are trying to get your are you trying to call up his okay. Go off the cuff.
Speaker 14
We'll extract the last word. I probably represent Louisiana's 2nd congressional district. And in my home state, we know all too well how devastating natural disasters like hurricanes and flooding can be to our communities. That's why having reliable public safety communication and resilient infrastructure is essential to protecting lives and ensuring effective emergency responses. Public safety stakeholders in Louisiana and across our country have called on Congress to reauthorize the federal net, the FirstNet Authority, so first responders have the tools they need to protect and to serve our communities effectively and efficiently.
That's why I support Representative McLennan and Dunn's bipartisan First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act, which would extend this critical communication resource for our first responders. We must ensure that our communities are prepared and well equipped to respond to disasters or emergency strike, especially our rural and underserved communities, which may lack modern infrastructure and can be hard to reach during natural disasters. Reauthorizations reauthorizing FirstNet is good for public safety and support the first responders, the hard work, the commitment that they do in districts like mine. I call on my colleagues to join me in voting yes for this critical bipartisan legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I yield back.
Speaker 1
Thank you for yielding back, and that's why I still get a paper ticket before I. That's right. This is a backup. This is a backup. Any further recognition for speak-only amendment? Seeing none.
There's no further discussion. The vote occurs on adopting the amendment in the nature of a substitute. We'll do this by voice, and then fast final passage with, so if there's no further discussion, the vote occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor, say aye. Aye.
All those opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the amendment is agreed to. The question now occurs on adopting HR 7386 as amended. A roll call vote has been requested, and the clerk will call the roll.
Speaker 6
Mr Lotta. Mister Lotta records his I. Mister Griffith records his eye. Mister Bill Rakis records his eye. Mister Hudson records his eye.
Mr. Carter from Georgia. Mister Carter from Georgia records his I. Mister Palmer, mister Palmer records his eye. Mister Dunn records his eye. Mr. Crenshaw.
Mr. Joyce. Mr. Weber. Mr. Weber records. Mr. Allen. Mister Allen records Mister Balderson, Mister Fulcher, Mister Fulcher records Mister Fluger, Mister Fluger records Miss Harshbarger, Miss Harshbarger records.
Miss Miller-Meeks. Miss Miller-Meeks records. Miss Kamick. Mister Obonorti. Mister James, Mister Bentz.
Mister Bentz records Miss Hautchen. Miss Hautchen records Mr. Fry. Mister Fry records Miss Lee. Miss Lee records Mr. Langworthy. Mister Langworthy records Mister Cain.
Mister Ruley. Mister Ruley records. Mister Evans. Mister Evans records. Mr. Goldman.
Mister Goldman records. Miss. Hi. Miss. Mister Polon.
Hi. Mister Polon records.
Speaker 6
Miss Diet. Hi. Miss Diet records. Miss Shukowski records. Miss Matsui.
Hi. Miss Matsui records. Miss Castor. Miss Castor records. Mister Tonko.
Speaker 6
Mister Tonko records. Miss Kelly. Sorry. Miss Kelly records. Miss Clark.
Hi. Miss Clark. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz. Mr. Peters.
Mister Peters records. Miss Dingle. VC. Mister Baragon or Miss Baragon. Mister So.
Mister So records Miss Schrier. Miss Shrior records. Miss Trey Ann. Miss Trey Ann records. Miss Fletcher.
Miss Fletcher records. Miss Cassio Cortez. Miss Cassio Cortez records. Mister Auction Claus. Mister Auction Claus records Mister Carter from Louisiana.
Mister Carter from Louisiana records Mister Menendez. Mister Menendez records Mister Mullen. Mister Mullen records Mister Landsman. Mister Landsman records. And then Miss McClellan.
Miss McClellan records. Mr. Guthrie.
Speaker 1
Aye. Mr. Guthrie. Records. Aye. Miss Doctor Joyce.
Mister Joyce records. Anyone else? Mr James?
Speaker 6
any work. He's not recorded. Mister James I. Mister Balderson? Mister Balderson's not recorded.
Mister Baldess is his eye.
Speaker 1
I think there's somebody walking through the door right now. Give about ten, fifteen seconds. Ready?
Speaker 1
Oh, yeah. Yeah. One more. I got Mr. VC coming. We have mister, how's mister VC recorded?
Speaker 1
51 is. The ayes have it, and the bill is adopted. Alright. The chair will call up 7022 and ask the clerk to report.
Speaker 6
HR7022, a bill to provide for the transmission of emergency alerts by satellite, and for other purposes.
Speaker 1
It, without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. The bill will be open for amendment at any point. So ordered. Does anyone seek recognition on the bill? For what purpose does the gentleman from Texas seek recognition?
Speaker 6
Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 7022 offered by Mister Pfluger from Texas.
Speaker 1
Without objection, reading the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman is recognized for five minutes in support of the amendment.
Speaker 15
Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. As many of you know, this is a personal issue for me after the July 4 flooding that swept through Central Texas, including the all girls camp Mystic where two of my daughters were attending. I knew that congress had to act, and had to act quickly to improve the redundancy and the reliability in the wireless emergency alert system to ensure that alerts reach families and first responders even in the most challenging circumstances. HR 722, the Mystic Alerts Act, is the result of these efforts, and this legislation ensures that during natural disasters the wireless emergency alerts can still be delivered via satellite when traditional networks go down or service is unavailable. This need for improvement was reinforced during last year's communications and technology subcommittee hearing titled legislative improvements to public safety communications in the United States.
There, we heard from expert witnesses about the need to strengthen the WA systems and the risk when Americans lose access to alerts due to damaged, overwhelmed, or non-existent cellular infrastructure, especially in rural areas. The Mystic Alert Act would close these gaps by incorporating space-based mobile broadband into the wireless emergency alert system. And this amendment, in the nature of a substitute, incorporates technical assistance into the Mystic Alerts Act to ensure sound implementation of legislation with the warrant act, as well as ensure that if a provider elects to transmit emergency alerts, they may not impose a fee for that service. I'd like to thank my colleagues, representatives Lizzie Fletcher and Mark Vici from Texas who are familiar with this camp, and the need for this, and representative Buddy Carter who also had grandchildren that were at the camp. And I'd like to thank them for working closely with my office, with me to advance this bipartisan but also common sense legislation.
Their collaboration has been instrumental in advancing this effort, and I think we owe it to the families that lost their lives to continue to do the best that we can. And I think this legislation represents that effort. I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation and yield back.
Speaker 1
Gentlemen yields back, and I'll speak for the committee to say our thoughts and prayers have been with you, especially after what happened last July 4th with you and your family and with Mister Carter and his granddaughter and her family. I believe his granddaughter lost her cousin from the other side of the family, and the thoughts and prayers are with you. So the general lady from Texas is recognized for 5 minutes to speak on the amendment.
Speaker 16
Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanna thank you and ranking member Palone for including the Mystic Alerts Act in today's markup, and I wanna thank my friend from Texas, congressman Pfluger, for his leadership and his commitment on this issue, as well as my other colleagues, congressman VC and congressman Carter. I'm really proud to work on this important bill in response to the devastating floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country last summer. And I think, in Houston and across the state of Texas, we are still heartbroken. We are still grieving.
There are still green ribbons on the trees in my neighborhood for the neighbors that we lost in the flood. There were 135 people who were killed in the floods and the destruction of communities all along the Guadalupe River, last summer. And people across Texas, generations of Texans have gone to the hill country in the summer for that little bit of breeze that you can get, and that slightly, only slightly cooler weather. I spent my summers there growing up at a camp just down the river, and it's full of summer camps and church camps and campsites for families, family homes. Just so many generations of Texans have been in this beautiful and majestic part of our state.
And last summer, it became the place of an unthinkable tragedy. And as I said, we're still trying to put the pieces back together. Some of those pieces will never be put back together, and the loss to the families that I represent is just incalculable. But I think this bill is a small but important way to provide a meaningful response, and it's a bipartisan effort, to respond to these devastating floods and to learn from this tragedy and to try to mitigate some of the pain and loss that our communities felt for communities across the country so that they don't have to go through, as the similar challenges, in moments of emergency. And while there have been great strides made in telecommunications, there are still large sections of our country that lack reliable and consistent cell service.
And, unfortunately, that's one of the challenges that we saw last summer, whether it is in some dense urban areas or rural communities, from camping spots to hiking trails, cell coverage is not always guaranteed. And, especially in the hill country, reception is spotty and unreliable. So while some parts in some major towns have good coverage, others do not. And in this time of heightened connectivity, a lack of cell service can make all the difference in receiving a life-saving emergency notification. So this bill addresses the communications gap.
It requires the FCC to encourage mobile service providers to adopt satellite alerting capabilities for emergency alerts. The technology exists to notify people who lack cell service of these life-threatening emergencies, but not every carrier utilizes this technology. And everyone should be able to get these alerts, you know, whether it's through their traditional service or through this kind of emergency alerting coverage. No one should miss a lifesaving emergency alert because they don't have cell service. So by encouraging mobile providers to adopt these capabilities, this bill helps ensure that emergency alerts can reach people no matter where they live, no matter what signal they have.
And as I said earlier, you know, this is a small but important way to learn a lesson from the tragedy in Texas last summer and to put the pain and the loss and the grief of the families that I represent and families across the state of Texas and across the country into action, and to learn a lesson from what we saw. Nothing can bring back those that we lost in the flood, but we owe it to their survivors, and to everyone we represent, to do everything we possibly can to try to prevent another tragedy like the one that we saw last summer. And so I'm really glad to join congressman Pfluger and congressman VC and congressman Carter in leading this effort. And I hope that everyone on the committee will join us in voting in favor of this bill. Thank you, and I yield back.
Speaker 1
Thank you. The general lady yields back, and the juror recognized Mr. Carter from Georgia for five minutes to speak on the amendment.
Speaker 17
Mister chairman, I rise in strong support of the bipartisan Mystic Alerts Act introduced by congressman Pfluger. Public safety is one of Congress's most serious responsibilities, and this bill addresses a clear and urgent gap in our emergency communication system. Like Congressman Pfluger, my family was directly impacted by the Camp Mystic flooding in Texas. It was a tragedy that demonstrated how quickly conditions can change, and how devastating the consequences can be when people do not receive timely warnings. My twin granddaughters were at this camp, and for 10 hours, the longest 10 hours of my life, I didn't know what was going on.
I didn't know if they were safe or if they were not. They turned out to be safe, but, unfortunately, their nine-year-old cousin, Jamie Hunt, succumbed to that flood and is now in heaven. While we have made real progress in delivering wireless emergency alerts, recent disasters have shown that alerts can fail when terrestrial networks are damaged, overloaded, or unavailable precisely when people need them the most. The Mystic Alerts Act strengthens our emergency alerting framework by directing the FCC to establish standards and requirements that allow alerts to be delivered via satellite connectivity, ensuring redundancy when traditional networks are down. By incorporating satellite-based cap capabilities, this bill helps ensure emergency alerts can reach rural communities, disaster zones, and other hard-to-reach areas, improving resilience and saving lives during floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and other emergencies.
This legislation honors the victims of the Camp Mystic flood like Jamie Hunt. By taking meaningful action to prevent similar tragedies, and by making our emergency communication system more reliable, modern, and resilient. I commend Congressman Pfluger for his leadership and the other cosponsors of this bill. In the bipartisan approach, I urge my colleagues to support the Mystic Alerts Act. I thank you for your thoughts and prayers that have been extended to my family.
This is something that you don't get over, and we'll never get over it. But our family does appreciate this very much, the efforts of this congress to address this situation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
Speaker 1
Thank you. The gentleman yells back, and I think I can speak for the committee that our prayers are continuing for you and mister Fluger's family, and here all the families in Missick. Are there any further speakers on the amendment? Seeing none, no further discussion. The vote occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
All those in favor shall signify by saying aye.
Speaker 1
All those opposed, nay. The ayes have it, and the amendment is agreed to. The question now occurs on adopting HR 7022 as amended, and a roll call vote has been requested, and the clerk will call the roll.
Speaker 6
Mister Lotta. Mister Lotta votes aye. Mr. Griffith. Mister Griffith votes aye. Mister Bill Rakis.
Mister Bill Rakis votes aye. Mr. Hudson. Mister Hudson votes aye. Mr. Carter of Georgia. Mister Carter of Georgia votes I.
Mr. Palmer. Mister Palmer votes I. Mr Dunn. Mister Dunn votes. Mr. Crenshaw.
Mr. Joyce. Mr. Weber, Mr. Allen. Mr.
Allen votes aye. Mr. Balderson, Mister Balderson votes I. Mister Fulcher votes I. Mister Fluger, Mister Fluger votes 1.
Miss Harshbarger, Miss Harshbarger votes aye. Miss Miller-Meeks. Miss Kamick. Miss Kamick votes aye. Mister Olbernote.
Mister Olbernote votes aye. Mr. James. Mr. Bentz. Mr. Bentz votes aye. Miss Houchin.
Mr. Fry. Mister Fry votes aye. Miss Lee. Miss Lee votes aye. Mr. Langworthy.
Mr. Langworthy votes aye. Mr. Kane. Mister Ruley. Mister Ruley votes aye. Mr. Evans.
Mr Goldman? Mister Goldman votes aye. Miss Fedorchak? Miss Fedorchak votes aye. Mister Pologne?
Aye. Mister Pologne votes aye. Miss Dugget? Miss DeGet votes aye. Miss Shakowski?
Aye. Miss Shakowski votes aye. Miss Matsui?
Speaker 6
Miss Matsui votes aye. Miss Castor? Aye. Castor votes aye. Mister Tonko?
Aye. Mister Tonko votes aye. Miss Clark? Aye. Miss Clark votes aye.
Mister Ruiz? Aye. Mr. Ruiz votes aye. Mr Peters? Mr. Peters votes aye.
Miss Dingle? Miss Dingle votes aye. Mister VC? Mister VC votes aye. Miss Kelly?
Miss Kelly votes aye. Miss Baragon? Miss Baragon votes aye. Mister So? Mister So votes aye.
Miss Schrier? Miss Schrier votes aye. Miss Trey Ann? Miss Trey Ann votes aye. Miss Fletcher?
Miss Fletcher votes aye. Miss Ocasio-Cortez? Miss Ocasio-Cortez votes aye. Mister Aschen Claus? Mister Aschen Claus votes aye.
Mister Carter, Louisiana. Mister Carter, Louisiana votes aye. Mister Menendez, Mister Menendez votes aye. Mister Mullen, Mister Mullen votes aye. Mister Landon, mister Landsman votes aye.
Miss McClellan, Miss McClellan votes aye. Chairman Guthrie. Chairman Guthrie votes aye.
Speaker 6
Miss Miller Beak's votes aye. Doctor Joyce. Mister Joyce votes aye. Weber. Mr. Weber votes aye.
Speaker 1
Anyone on the Democratic side? You have to get everybody. Seeing none and anybody else who will answer the roll, seeing none, the clerk will report.
Speaker 1
The ayes have it, and the bill is adopted. Without objection, the staff is authorized to make technical and conforming changes to the legislation approved by the committee today. Sorted. Without objection, the committee stands adjourned.
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