Hearings

Evaluating Progress, Reauthorization of the Federal Public Safety Communications System

January 27, 2026
10:00 AM

Sen. Fischer Announces Subcommittee Hearing on FirstNet for January 27th

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, will convene a hearing titled: “On the Front Lines of Connectivity: Examining FirstNet’s Role in Public Safety” on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST. As the Committee prepares to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority ahead of its February 2027 sunset, this hearing will assess the progress of FirstNet —the nation’s dedicated public safety network— and the First Responder Network Authority, an independent entity within the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration that oversees the network.

This hearing will also examine how the public safety communications marketplace has changed since FirstNet’s launch in 2017 and will address findings from the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General regarding the adequacy of FirstNet’s oversight of its 25-year contract with AT&T. The testimony will help inform how best to structure FirstNet’s reauthorization to ensure that public safety continues to benefit from advanced and reliable communications.

Upon announcing the hearing, Sen. Fischer said:

“FirstNet enables our first responders to communicate effectively and efficiently as they work to save lives and protect our communities. This hearing will help Congress evaluate reauthorization of this critical nationwide public safety network as we identify ways to support its continued dependability and provide stronger oversight of the network’s management.”

Sen. Cruz said:

“As the Commerce Committee prepares to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority this year, we must be diligent in reviewing the program’s effectiveness and benefits. The FirstNet network was designed to help first responders communicate quickly and without interruption during emergencies. This hearing is an opportunity to ensure the program continues to service public safety.”

Witness:

  • Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr., Acting Chair of the First Responder Network Authority Board
  • Scott Agnew, President of FirstNet and Public Safety Mobility at AT&T
  • Cory Davis, Vice President of Verizon Frontline at Verizon

An additional witness may be announced at a later date.

Hearing Details:

WHAT: Subcommittee Hearing titled “On the Front Lines of Connectivity: Examining FirstNet’s Role in Public Safety”

DATE: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

TIME: 10:00 AM EST

LOCATION: Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

LIVESTREAM: The hearing will stream live on the Committee web site and YouTube.

MEDIA INFO: Reporters wanting to attend the committee should contact their respective media gallery to RSVP.

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