Rep. Pfluger's Mystic Alerts Act Advances Out of Communications and Technology Subcommittee

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) spoke in favor of his legislation, the Mystic Alerts Act, during a House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee markup. Since the devastating floods in Texas on July 4th, Rep. Pfluger has been at the forefront of strengthening emergency alert systems, especially in rural or remote areas.

The Mystic Alerts Act would integrate satellite networks into wireless emergency alert processes. Expert witnesses testified last month that this legislation is a critical step toward closing the digital divide and strengthening public safety communications nationwide. The bipartisan legislation was passed unanimously out of the Subcommittee, where it awaits consideration by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Watch Rep. Pfluger's full remarks in support of the Mystic Alerts Act HEREor by clicking the image below.

Read Rep. Pfluger's full remarks in support of the Mystic Alerts Act below:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I obviously support the bipartisan bill H.R. 7022, the Mystic Alerts Act, which I'm proud to lead alongside Representatives Lizzie Fletcher, Buddy Carter, and Mark Veasey.

I want to thank the co-leads for working closely with us to advance this bipartisan legislation. I appreciate their partnership and commitment to strengthening public safety communications, especially for communities that are too often left behind when disasters strike.

During our last public safety hearing, we heard powerful testimony from expert witnesses about the importance of strengthening the Wireless Emergency Alert System and their broad support for the Mystic Alerts Act. Witnesses emphasize that WEA's are among the most effective tools available to protect the public, but also highlighted that coverage gaps still persist. They explained that incorporating space-based mobile broadband, as the Mystic Alerts Act does, into the WIA system would add redundancy, improve reliability, and help ensure alerts reach families and first responders, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Today, too many Americans lose access to alerts when cellular infrastructure is damaged, overwhelmed, or nonexistent, particularly in rural areas. This bill helps to close that gap by ensuring emergency alerts can still be delivered via satellite when traditional networks fail.

For me, this issue is personal. On July 4th, devastating floods swept through Central and West Texas, including the area around Camp Mystic, where two of my daughters were attending camp. When communication systems fail during moments like that, the consequences can be tragic. No family should miss a life-saving warning simply because infrastructure went down or service was unavailable.

There is still work to be done to incorporate technical assistance into this legislation, but moving the Mystic Alerts Act forward is a meaningful step toward modernizing public safety communications, closing dangerous gaps and emergency alert coverage, and ensuring Americans can receive critical information when it matters the most.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back.