Blackburn, Duckworth Bipartisan Bill to Improve Life-Saving Emergency Communication Technology Passes Committee

"America's leadership in wireless technology depends on making the most efficient use of our spectrum resources," said Senator Blackburn. "The ITS Codification Act will strengthen the research and engineering capabilities that help us identify new opportunities for spectrum sharing, support commercial innovation, and protect critical federal missions. This bill also helps ensure our first responders have access to reliable, cutting-edge communications technology when every second counts. I'm pleased the Commerce Committee advanced this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to seeing it move quickly through the Senate."

"When people are in crisis and find themselves trapped in confined spaces, how quickly our first responders are able to conduct search and rescue often depends on these workers' access to modern, reliable technology to save precious time," said Senator Duckworth. "Now that our bipartisan legislation has passed committee, the Senate must pass it swiftly so we can help ensure our first responders have the technology they need to save lives."

BACKGROUND

• This legislation comes at a time when Tennessee has the highest share of nighttime tornadoes in the United States, with 31% touching down between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. This window dramatically increases the likelihood that victims are caught asleep in residential structures, complicating immediate rescue efforts.

ITS CODIFICATION ACT

• The legislation would help expedite recovery efforts for those impacted by events such as tornadoes, who may get trapped in rubble left from fallen buildings. The technology provided by the ITS Codification Act would help locate tornado victims, along with other victims of natural disasters or crises.

Click here for bill text.