House Lawmakers Appear Supportive of Draft FirstNet Reauthorization Bill
There was bipartisan support in both chambers for more NTIA oversight.
There was bipartisan support in both chambers for more NTIA oversight.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2026 – House lawmakers from both parties appeared supportive Wednesday of a draft bill to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority.
The draft, led by Reps. Neal Dunn, F-Fla., and Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., would reauthorize the FirstNet Authority through September 2037 and put the agency under more direct control from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The FirstNet Authority oversees FirstNet, the nationwide first responder network owned and operated by AT&T under a contract with the Commerce Department. FirstNet Authority will sunset in February 2027 unless Congress reauthorizes it.
Legislation would create a nonprofit to fund digital literacy and broadband adoption nationwide.
The investment comes as a nearby Amazon project faces a lawsuit over transparency.
Most funding would be required to reach local government directly.
Realizing AI's full potential requires the U.S. to build a secure, high-capacity national fiber intranet alongside the public internet.