Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

When disaster strikes, there is a lot of hard work to be done, and every second counts. First responders go into action for those that need help. Relief organizations and volunteers rush in to begin the process of cleaning up. Utilities and service providers must be on the ground repairing damaged infrastructure.

All of these mission-critical tasks require a functioning communications network. People turn to the network for potentially lifesaving information and rely on its functionality to reach emergency services.

We are here today to consider this bill. Representative Pallone--I want to give some credit to him--has been a champion of following the eye-opening effects of Superstorm Sandy. He has worked tirelessly on this legislation since October 2012.

In total, the Sandy storm resulted in roughly $74 billion in damages in the U.S. alone. Sometimes we forget the magnitude of that storm. Damage to power and communications infrastructure, it knocked out about 25 percent of the cell sites in its path. In some of the hardest-hit counties, 50 percent of those sites were down.

When the networks go down, public safety communications and emergency response services are threatened. In order for the networks to get back up and running, telecommunications providers need access to critical resources and permission to enter the disaster area.

The chaos immediately following a major disaster makes it challenging to obtain resources and entry to the affected area. What we saw after Sandy were communication providers being turned away from the disaster area and denied resources because they were not considered essential to the recovery effort. This bill seeks to change that.

In the wake of Sandy, and as a result of repair workers being barred from the recovery effort, communication networks remained offline for hours and, in some cases, days longer than need be. This left those who were still vulnerable in the disaster area without critical information and no means to call for help.

There are numerous entities that are essential for the rescue and recovery phase following a disaster. The affected area needs power. Water is critical. The bill would clarify that communications networks are also an essential service.

Whether it be wireline, mobile telephone, Internet, radio or television, communication services play a key role in facilitating recovery. In some cases it can be the difference between life and death. By defining these types of providers as essential, telecommunication companies will be granted the access and resources needed to get their networks back online.

The bill would also require the FCC to conduct a study on the feasibility and benefits of making WiFi access points available to the general public to access 911 services during times of emergency.

I would also like to recognize that the original version of this bill included a number of wireless provisions designed to increase preparedness. These provisions were removed, however, because the five largest wireless carriers voluntarily adopted these provisions.

H.R. 588, in its current form, combined with the voluntary framework established by the wireless carriers, leaves us with a strong, bipartisan bill that will improve the resiliency of our Nation's communications infrastructure to avoid a recurrence of the widespread and extended service outages, as experienced in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

I thank our colleagues from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for working with us on this bill, and I urge the support of my colleagues for the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Mr. Pallone for his diligence in solving this problem not only for his constituents there in New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy, but many of my family were down in south Mississippi and we know what happened in Katrina with those in the Gulf region around New Orleans and over in south Mississippi and the loss of communications that were there.

This week we are seeing it in Mr. Carter's district in Georgia, again, the impact that a storm has when people cannot reach their loved ones and when they cannot get in contact to let people know the services that they needed or the injury that they are experiencing. So we are fortunate to be able to bring this bill forward. We extend our condolences and concerns to Mr. Carter for what is going on in his district.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter) to speak on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 588, ``Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act'', which requires the Federal Communications Commission to submit to Congress and publish on the FCC website a study on the: public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable.

As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am well aware of the importance of telephone service during disasters.

The Securing Access to Networks in Disasters (SANDy) Act seeks to ensure the resiliency of the nation's communications networks during emergencies.

Acquiring cellphone service during a massive natural or manmade disaster is often difficult, if not impossible, and this is why this piece of legislation is so essential.

During the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City, cellphone service was severely disrupted, forcing many callers to repeatedly dial to get through to 9- 1-1 emergency services.

On that day, some of the most tragic, heart wrenching calls came from those trapped in the Twin Towers.

It is not only during terrorist attacks that cellphone services are severely disrupted, but also natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, which claimed the lives of over 1,800 people.

The SANDy Act would ensure that during an emergency, consumers' cell phones work on other carriers' networks if a consumer's own network goes down.

H.R. 588 would give priority to calls to 9-1-1 services and emergency alerts.

It also would increase coordination between wireless carriers, utilities, and public safety officials by creating a directory of the contact information for relevant disaster response officials.

The bill would require the FCC to report to Congress regarding whether additional outage data should be provided in times of emergency.

In addition, the bill requires the FCC to report to Congress on the viability of providing 9-1-1 services over Wi-Fi hotspots during emergencies.

H.R. 588 would be of immense benefit to the 18th Congressional District and the greater Houston area.

On April 17-18, 2016, Houston experienced a historic flood event that claimed the lives of eight people; damaged over 1,150 households; disrupted hundreds of businesses; closed community centers, schools, and places of worship due to flood waters.

On April 25, President Obama granted the request for federal Individual Assistance for Harris County residences and business owners who were affected by severe weather and flooding.

Unfortunately, that was not the end of the story of flooding in Houston for 2016--in early June another record setting rainfall led to catastrophic flooding throughout the Houston area.

I am grateful to President Obama and the great work of those at the Department of Homeland Security who worked tirelessly to help people after both 2016 flood events.

I spoke on the House Floor several times about the floods and the suffering caused by the waters that came through our communities-- damaging homes, our schools, places of business, and our places of worship.

The flooding problems in the Houston area are frequent, widespread, and severe, with projects to reduce flood risks in place that are valued at several billion dollars

In 2015, the Houston and surrounding area experienced widespread historic flooding.

The importance of being able to contact emergency responders in the case of natural disasters is critical in order to save the lives of those directly affected by such events.

The SANDy Act would provide telecommunication access to victims of natural and man-made disasters.

The SANDy Act amends the Stafford Act to ensure that all communications providers:

1. Have the ability to access relevant disaster stricken areas during emergencies to restore service; and

2. Are included in the universal credentialing program for essential service providers

The SANDy Act would recognize the critical role that all communications providers--broadcasters, cable, and telecommunications-- serve in emergencies, but most notably, the bill would ensure consumers have access to wireless service even if their cellphone service provider's wireless network goes down.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 588, the ``Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 588, Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act, which requires the Federal Communications Commission to submit to Congress and publish on the FCC website a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable.

As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am well aware of the importance of telephone service during disasters.

The Securing Access to Networks in Disasters (SANDy) Act seeks to ensure the resiliency of the nation's communications networks during emergencies.

Acquiring cellphone service during a massive natural or manmade disaster is often difficult, if not impossible, and this is why this piece of legislation is so essential.

During the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City, cellphone service was severely disrupted, forcing many callers to repeatedly dial to get through to 9- 1-1 emergency services.

On that day, some of the most tragic, heart wrenching calls came from those trapped in the Twin Towers.

It is not only during terrorist attacks that cellphone services are severely disrupted, but also natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, which claimed the lives of over 1,800 people.

The SANDy Act would ensure that during an emergency, consumers' cell phones work on other carriers' networks if a consumer's own network goes down.

H.R. 588 would give priority to calls to 9-1-1 services and emergency alerts.

It also would increase coordination between wireless carriers, utilities, and public safety officials by creating a directory of the contact information for relevant disaster response officials.

The bill would require the FCC to report to Congress regarding whether additional outage data should be provided in times of emergency.

In addition, the bill requires the FCC to report to Congress on the viability of providing 9-1-1 services over Wi-Fi hotspots during emergencies.

H.R. 588 would be of immense benefit to the 18th Congressional District and the greater Houston area.

On April 17-18, 2016, Houston experienced a historic flood event that claimed the lives of eight people, damaged over 1,150 households, disrupted hundreds of businesses, closed community centers, schools, and places of worship due to flood waters.

On April 25, President Obama granted the request for federal Individual Assistance for Harris County residences and business owners who were affected by severe weather and flooding.

Unfortunately, that was not the end of the story of flooding in Houston for 2016--in early June another record setting rainfall led to catastrophic flooding throughout the Houston area.

I am grateful to President Obama and the great work of those at the Department of Homeland Security who worked tirelessly to help people after both 2016 flood events.

I spoke on the House Floor several times about the Floods and the suffering caused by the waters that came through our communities-- damaging homes, our schools, places of business, and our places of worship.

The flooding problems in the Houston area are frequent, widespread, and severe, with projects to reduce flood risks in place that are valued at several billion dollars.

In 2015, the Houston and surrounding area experienced widespread historic flooding.

The importance of being able to contact emergency responders in the case of natural disasters is critical in order to save the lives of those directly affected by such events.

The SANDy Act would provide telecommunication access to victims of natural and man-made disasters.

The SANDy Act amends the Stafford Act to ensure that all communications providers:

1. Have the ability to access relevant disaster stricken areas during emergencies to restore service; and

2. Are included in the universal credentialing program for essential service providers

The SANDy Act would recognize the critical role that all communications providers--broadcasters, cable, and telecommunications-- serve in emergencies, but most notably, the bill would ensure consumers have access to wireless service even if their cellphone service provider's wireless network goes down.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 588, the Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I would like to start today by congratulating him on taking the reins of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. That subcommittee is a critical part of the Energy and Commerce Committee and serves an important role for Congress as a whole. Congresswoman Eshoo left big shoes to fill, but I am confident that, with Ranking Member Doyle and his longtime expertise in this area, the subcommittee is in capable hands.

I also thank our colleague from Tennessee, who is now the chairwoman of the subcommittee. The gentlewoman basically summarized what I was going to say about this bill, so I will try not to be too repetitive. But I do want to ask support for my bill, H.R. 588, the Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act, or SANDy Act.

Superstorm Sandy had a traumatic effect on my district back in New Jersey, and we saw firsthand how critical communication networks can be damaged during emergencies. Broadcast and cable networks provide crucial information that helps us stay out of harm's way, and phone and Internet access makes sure we can call for help and keep track of our loved ones.

Unfortunately, when Sandy ripped through the Northeast, many of these networks went down when we needed them most. Across the region, nearly 1 in 4 cell towers were knocked out. But in some of the hardest-hit areas of New Jersey, as many as half of the towers were actually down. Many of them stayed down for weeks. That is why I have spent the past several years figuring out what went right and what went wrong.

Initially, I worked with the Nation's largest wireless carriers and the Federal Communications Commission to put together a voluntary resiliency framework. That framework, as Mrs. Blackburn mentioned, makes sure that if one cell network goes down, like AT&T did during Sandy in my district, its customers can access another network, like Verizon, that was still operational.

Everyone, I think, should be able to call for help as long as any signal is available.

Mr. Speaker, the voluntary resiliency framework will save lives during major emergencies in the future, and I would like to thank the wireless carriers and the FCC for working with me to craft that comprehensive agreement. Having these networks operational can mean the difference between life and death during an event like Superstorm Sandy.

The other major problem during Sandy was the inability of communications services to repair their equipment. The SANDy Act will recognize the critical role that wireline and mobile telephone, Internet, radio, and TV broadcast, cable and satellite services play during emergencies.

For example, ``The RAT,'' which is a radio station at the Jersey Shore, switched from music to 24-hour news coverage right after Sandy, and that helped people to access vital services in the days after the storm.

These providers will receive, pursuant to the SANDy Act, priority access to otherwise restricted areas during emergencies like other utilities to help them repair and maintain their communications equipment during disasters.

The SANDy Act will begin a process to provide 911 services over WiFi hotspots during emergencies.

Mr. Speaker, this is truly a commonsense, bipartisan bill. It passed the House last Congress on a vote of 389-2. I urge all Members to support the bill.

I understand the bill has been scheduled for a markup in the Senate tomorrow. So, hopefully, once they do their work, we can get this bill to the President and signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 588, the Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act because it will help to strengthen and reinforce our networks during times of emergency.

Representing the entire coast of Georgia, I am no stranger at what a working network means for the coordination of rescue and recovery efforts. Hurricane Matthew made landfall and had a significant impact on multiple States along the Southeastern seaboard, including Georgia. I personally toured many of the hardest-hit areas in my district and I have seen devastation that natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can inflict on areas such as ours.

Of course, just this past weekend, Mr. Speaker, we witnessed tornadoes in south Georgia, tornadoes that brought about tremendous devastation and the loss of life.

However, our first responders and emergency specialists are there to heed the call and assist in helping people who are most in need.

Ranking Member Pallone's legislation would direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a

study on network resiliency during times of emergency and distress. Under this bill, the study done by the FCC would be made publicly available on their Web site and would include public safety benefits and the costs of implementing new alternatives that will aid in contacting and coordinating emergency services during those difficult times.

I urge my friends and colleagues to support this legislation because I have seen firsthand not only what disasters can do to an area, but the importance of our emergency services in having the networks and communication means to coordinate relief.

Strengthening our network resiliency is a benefit to everyone across our great country.