By Staff
WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives early Monday morning adopted a budget bill which included Congressman Fred Upton's (R-St. Joseph) amendment to help first responders better communicate with each other.
Upton's measure, part of the Digital Television (DTV) Transition Act, establishes a $1 billion federal grant program, paid for by spectrum auction sales to the private sector, which will provide public safety much needed resources to improve interoperability. The Digital Television Transition Act, a top priority for Upton as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, sets a hard date for the end of the transition in order to free-up spectrum for interoperable communications that police and rescue personnel were promised in 1997.
Upon approval by the Senate, which is expected later this week, the budget legislation will head to the President to be signed into law.