Kennedy Introduces Legislation to Safeguard Emergency Alerts Funding, Protect Public Safety Communications

SAFE Comms Act Pushes Back Against Trump's Attacks on Lifesaving FEMA Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), along with Representatives Rob Menendez (NJ-08), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Nanette Barragan (CA-44), introduced the Supporting and Advancing Federal Emergency Communications through Infrastructure (SAFE Comms) Act, legislation to ensure that local broadcasters can continue to deliver lifesaving emergency alerts despite disruptions to the federal grant program that supports them. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to administer and disburse funds through the Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) grant program, guaranteeing that already-approved funds to improve emergency alerting reach communities across New York State and the nation.

"As Ranking Member of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, it is my priority to ensure that the bedrock of our emergency alerting system - local stations - receive promised support from Congress," said Congressman Tim Kennedy. "In the face of this President's assault on FEMA and its lifesaving programs, we must guarantee the continuity of the Next Generation Warning System. I'm proud to introduce this legislation to ensure that local communities in Western New York and across the U.S. continue to benefit from critical federal investments in emergency alerting infrastructure."

"FEMA programs like the Next Generation Warning System are crucial to ensuring that our communities stay up-to-date with life-saving emergency information," said Congressman Menendez. "With Republican cuts to public broadcasting, we must continue to fund and protect this program so local public media stations can provide timely alerts to New Jerseyans in the most critical moments."

"Local public TV and radio stations are a lifeline during emergencies, especially in rural and underserved communities," said Congresswoman Barragán. "The Next Generation Warning System Grant Program helps these stations get the resources they need to send timely alerts when people need them most. I'm proud to join Reps. Kennedy, Menendez, and McClain Delaney in co-leading this effort to safeguard the future of the program and make sure every community has the information it needs during disasters."

"Every second counts when protecting the public from natural disasters and other emergencies, and next-generation warning systems are essential to safeguarding lives and property," said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. "With the Corporation for Public Broadcasting now closed, FEMA must deliver Congressionally appropriated funds directly - and without delay - to local broadcasters. I'm proud to support legislation that provides this critical fix as we continue modernizing and strengthening our nation's warning capabilities, building more prepared and resilient communities."

"Buffalo Toronto Public Media, like all public media radio and television stations, acts as the backbone of the national emergency alert system. The life-saving alerts keep people informed across the country and state and in all four corners of Western New York. Funding for the NGWS is critical for public media stations to keep the system working, up to date, and to expand their reach, especially into rural and underserved areas. Since 2022, Buffalo Toronto Public Media has sent nearly 30,000 Wireless Emergency Alerts via its television and radio broadcast towers. Buffalo Toronto Public Media is in full support of Congressman Kennedy's efforts to ensure that FEMA stewards these funds towards public media stations and to the communities they serve." - Tom Calderone, President & CEO of Buffalo Toronto Public Media

"America's Public Television Stations, on behalf of the 158 locally operated, locally controlled public television stations, commend Representative Kennedy and the other co-sponsors for the introduction of the SAFE Comms Act. This bill recognizes the lifesaving work of local public broadcasting stations and requires that FEMA follow Congressional intent in spending funds that Congress has already appropriated to support local stations' public safety services. We greatly appreciate the long-standing bipartisan support for the Next Generation Warning System at FEMA and are grateful that this legislation would ensure that this critical program continues to support the lifesaving emergency alert, warning and public safety services provided to local communities by their public broadcasting stations." - Kate Riley, CEO & President of America's Public Television Stations

Established by Congress in 2022, the NGWS grant program allows public media stations to upgrade technology and infrastructure used to broadcast emergency alerts. The program, implemented by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), strengthens reliability and resilience for emergency communications including upgrading transmitters, expanding coverage, and improving the ability to reach vulnerable and rural populations. Every day, local public radio and television stations serve as lifelines for communities across the United States, delivering critical, real-time information to families when disaster strikes. From lake effect snowstorms to flash floods, Western New Yorkers rely on these trusted resources to provide the timely alerts that save lives. Alarmingly, a breakdown in federal funding and grant administration, spurred by the Trump administration, has put this funding at risk.

In July, congressional Republicans passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 which defunded CPB, the lone administrator of the NGWS grant program. Without CPB to manage the NGWS grant program, millions of dollars in previously approved funding were left in limbo at FEMA, jeopardizing upgrades for critical technology that ensure emergency alerts reach people when they're needed most.

The SAFE Comms Act safeguards continuity and accountability by directing FEMA to assume full responsibility for the NGWS program, disburse already obligated Fiscal Year 2022 funds within 180 days of bill enactment, and begin the process of awarding grants for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024. Through Congressman Kennedy's bill, local stations will be able to continue improving their emergency communications systems without further delay.

This legislation is endorsed by Buffalo Toronto Public Media and America's Public Television Stations.

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