More Lawmakers Call for Terrestrial GPS Backup
Four Republicans warn FCC to proceed with caution as it explores GPS alternatives
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2025 – A late exchange on GPS resilience flew under the radar amid the fireworks at Wednesday’s Federal Communications Commission oversight hearing.
Responding to a question from Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., FCC Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized the FCC has been “taking actions” to explore complementary or alternative positioning, navigation, and timing systems to GPS and is considering “next steps” to reinvigorate that work.
Hickenlooper joined House Reps. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., Richard Hudson, R-N.C., Troy Carter, D-La., and Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, and others, in calling for modernized emergency response systems this week. At the same time, four other Republican lawmakers called for Carr to proceed with caution, warning that certain approaches could disrupt existing critical systems.
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