WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sens. Cory Booker, (D-N.J.)and Ted Cruz (R-TX) issued the following statements after the House of Representatives passed their bill, the bipartisan Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015. The legislation designates non-profit public broadcasting stations as eligible for federal assistance when damaged by storms and other disasters. The bill, which passed today, now heads to the President’s desk.
“As we experienced during Superstorm Sandy, public radio and broadcast stations are an essential source of information when a disaster strikes. It is absolutely critical that we enable entities with broad communications reach to relay real-time information to the public during an emergency,” Sen. Booker said. “The Emergency Information Improvement Actensures that locally licensed stations are eligible for disaster relief funding in the event their facilities are impacted by a natural disaster. Its passage out of the House today marks a meaningful step forward in keeping communities prepared for the worst. New Jerseyans and Americans who have endured severe weather disasters know all too well that access to emergency information can be a matter of life or death and I’m pleased this legislation will move forward to provide a source of relief for these stations.”
“When disaster strikes, it is critical that the American people have access to real-time emergency information that can save lives. Texas understands the seriousness of these threats more than most states as it has made 90 major disaster declarations since 1953 and routinely prepares for tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes. Public radio and broadcast stations can play a significant role providing critical information during and after natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The Emergency Information Improvement Act will help eliminate any ambiguity in current law by allowing critical service communications facilities to quickly make necessary repairs and prepare for the next disaster,” Sen. Cruz said. “I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers for passing this legislation, and look forward to sending this bill to the President’s desk.”
Approximately 98 percent of the American population has access to a public radio or TV signal. Current federal emergency response and relief statutes are ambiguous on whether local public broadcasting stations are eligible for emergency financial assistance when damaged by storms and other disasters. This legislation designates public broadcasting stations as one of several nonprofits eligible for federal assistance in the event of a disaster, which will allow the stations to keep operating to provide key information to local communities.
The Emergency Information Improvement Act was introduced in April with Sen. Ted Cruz. The legislation was passed by the Senate in September. The bill text can be viewed here.
