Reps Eshoo, Waxman Push Inquiry Into Navy Yard Communications Problems

Looking to put a spotlight on the FirstNet emergency broadband communications network being funded by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auctions, Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA), ranking member of the House Commerce Committee and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), ranking member of the Communications subcommittee, are pushing for a full inquiry into what they say were possible first responder communications failures during the Navy Yard shootings in Washington.

In letters to Lawrence Strickling, who heads the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, and FCC acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, the lawmakers said they wanted the agency heads to work with all levels of government to investigate possible first responder communications problems, with a focus on how a FirstNet interoperable network might prevent future similar breakdowns. The legislators say that press reports indicated some of the problems were known before the shooting, but not addressed. They gave Chairwoman Clyburn and Strickling until Oct 21 to provide an update on their inquiry.