WASHINGTON, D.C.—Following a White House discussion today on the benefits of building a nationwide wireless broadband network for first responders, Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV is urging Senate colleagues to not delay on voting to approve S. 911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act. 

“Today, the Administration highlighted just how urgent this issue is by bringing together federal, state and local leaders to talk about the safety of Americans and first responders,” Rockefeller said. “Vice President Biden understands this as well as anyone, and I am glad he is so involved. With the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaching, now is the time to act.” 

Last week, Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison led their colleagues in approving S. 911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, by a vote of 21-4. The bill would fulfill one of the last major unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission by deploying a nationwide, interoperable communications network for first responders.

At the White House event today, a report on the benefits of transitioning to a nationwide wireless broadband public safety network was released. The report can be found here. 

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