Key Democratic Lawmakers Communications Grant Program

KEY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS COMMUNICATIONS GRANT PROGRAM
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 1/3, AUTHOR: Chris Strohm]
Senior Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee urged Congress to create a grant program to help cities update their emergency communications in order to communicate across jurisdictions. The lawmakers said such a program is needed given a new report from the Homeland Security Department that found gaps in such interoperability among emergency responders. Incoming House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss) said more than five years has passed since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in which emergency responders died due to a lack of interoperable communications. "Time and again, the lack of interoperable communication has hindered the ability of our first responders to successfully do their jobs," Rep Thompson said in a statement. "The only way to truly address this problem is to create an interoperability grant program that provides guidance and exclusive funding for states and cities to wisely build out their communications systems without forcing them to choose over funding their bridges and water supply." Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) said she "will fight to pass legislation to finally establish a federal grant program for interoperable communications" within the coming weeks. A package of security measures that Democrats are expected to unveil next week also will address shortfalls in interoperability, a Democratic leadership aide said. It is unclear if the package would authorize additional funding toward that goal.
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