Assistant Secretary Roth Statement on House Passage of FirstNet Reauthorization Legislation

WASHINGTON—Today, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth released a statement following the bipartisan passage of H.R.7386 - First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026: 

“I commend the House of Representatives for passing legislation to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, including critical reforms that will strengthen the network for the benefit of our nation’s first responders. Among other changes, the package enhances NTIA oversight to ensure compliance with key milestones and updates the FirstNet Board to better incorporate the expertise of public safety professionals. 

“I also thank Congressman Richard Hudson for his leadership in advancing this legislation through the House. Our first responders deserve a network that can meet their evolving operational realities and provide reliable, mission-critical connectivity—this legislation helps deliver on that standard.”