Cammack Presses Stronger Oversight, Accountability in FirstNet Reauthorization Hearing

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) called for stronger oversight and accountability during a House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on reauthorizing FirstNet, the nation’s public safety communications network.

During the hearing, Cammack emphasized the importance of ensuring first responders have reliable, interoperable communications when lives are on the line, particularly in rural and disaster-prone communities across Florida’s Third Congressional District.
 

“First responders can’t do their jobs if they can’t communicate,” Cammack said.“FirstNet was created after 9/11 to fix a deadly failure, and Congress must reauthorize it with real accountability before its authority expires. Reauthorization cannot be on autopilot. Outages, coverage gaps, and Inspector General findings make clear that performance must come with accountability.”
 

Watch the full remarks here.
 

Florida has 31 counties officially designated as rural under state definitions, highlighting the vast areas where reliable public safety communications are critical. Cammack cited ongoing service disruptions, rural coverage gaps, and failures during major hurricanes as evidence that Congress must strengthen oversight as part of the reauthorization process.

“This bill strengthens oversight, improves outage reporting, clarifies responsibility, and ensures FirstNet continues to evolve to meet real public safety needs,” Cammack said. “In Florida, hurricanes and severe storms are not a matter of if, but when. Our first responders deserve a network that holds up under pressure.”

Drawing on feedback from sheriffs, firefighters, and emergency personnel across her largely rural district, Cammack questioned witnesses on reinvesting in hard-to-serve areas, improving interoperability across carriers, and clarifying lines of authority.

“We must keep listening to first responders about where coverage is needed and prioritize investments based on real operational needs and immediate risk,” Cammack said.
 

Following the hearing, Sheriff Michael Adkinson said, “I deeply appreciate Rep. Cammack’s personal commitment to public safety and her willingness to work with us toward reauthorization.”

Cammack also noted growing bipartisan support for the legislation and expressed confidence in advancing it through committee.

“Florida’s first responders and families deserve a system that works every time, especially in emergencies,” Cammack said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver real accountability and real results.”

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