Sens Cornyn and Klobuchar Introduce the Safely Accessing Telecommunications Act

Sens John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Safely Accessing Telecommunications (SAT) Act, which would authorize the US State Department and Department of Defense to enter into contracts with satellite cellular and internet providers to provide direct connectivity in conflict regions. The SAT Act would:

• Authorize the Department of Defense to provide service for the purposes of providing military aid;
• Authorize the State Department to provide service for the purpose of providing humanitarian aid;
• Authorize both departments to procure the end-point infrastructure necessary to service, such as satellite phones and receiver dishes;
• Allow these agencies to enter into agreements with other nations to offset the costs of the service, including reimbursements after the fact;
• And prohibit an agency from compelling a service provider to provide the service and from providing the service longer than needed to address the conflict.