1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

As your constituent, I urge you to support federal funding for critical cybersecurity and infrastructure updates for the nation’s 9-1-1 systems. Nationwide deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) technology will ensure that every 9-1-1 center has critical technologies that improve cybersecurity, and ensure faster, smarter, and more effective emergency response for all Americans. NG9-1-1 provides multimedia capabilities, broadband applications, and system resiliency that are not supported by most current 9-1-1 systems. Without the funding provided by this bill, the nation will continue to have NG9-1-1 "haves" and "have-nots," needlessly putting lives at risk. Bipartisan legislation H.R. 3565 in the last Congress, set aside up to $15 billion in to help states and localities accelerate the NG9-1-1 transition. In the last Congress, it was agreed that this funding will eventually be offset by Federal Communication Commission (FCC) spectrum auction revenues, and hopefully this will be included in the next round of spectrum policy negotiations. Funding NG9-1-1 presents a unique opportunity for both political parties to collaborate, prioritize public safety, national security, and provide life-saving advantages to all citizens. This bill must be passed by Congress to ensure this critical upgrade is available for all Americans. In this new internet-centric world, we need to ensure that our emergency response system is safe, secure and resilient in the face of cyber attacks, natural disasters, and other public safety threats. In an emergency, every second counts. However, as more people rely on mobile phones and internet-based communications, our aging, voice-centric 9-1-1 infrastructure is struggling to keep up. NG9-1-1 is critical to providing faster, smarter, and more effective emergency response, and this funding will be a vital step in ensuring that all states and localities have access to the benefits of NG9-1-1, regardless of zip code. Please join me in supporting this important legislation and working towards a safer future for all Americans. Thank you for your attention to this matter.