Federal Communications Commission	FCC 26-34

STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN BRENDAN CARR

Re:       Resilient Networks; Amendments to Part 4 of the Commission’s Rules Concerning Disruptions to Communications; New Part 4 of the Commission’s Rules Concerning Disruptions to Communications, Third Report and Order, PS Docket Nos. 21-346 and 15-80; ET Docket No. 04-35 (May 20, 2026).

Later this week, I’ll be heading back to Western North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic flooding and mudslides in September 2024, devastating communities, damaging critical infrastructure, and taking lives.  In January of 2025, in my first trip out of D.C. after becoming Chairman, I saw that destruction firsthand and met with first responders, providers, and residents working around the clock to restore service and rebuild.

One thing that stood out to me in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene was how many resources were still being tied up by outdated paperwork requirements.  In the middle of a disaster recovery effort, the FCC should be focused on helping crews reconnect communities and clearing barriers that slow recovery down.  Limited manpower shouldn’t be spent on unnecessary red tape.  

That’s why I am pleased we are taking action today to modernize the FCC’s disaster reporting system in a way that reduces burdens while still ensuring we have accurate, up-to-date information on service restoration efforts.  This will be especially important for small, rural providers that may already be stretched thin during emergencies.

For their great work on this item and their continued efforts to promote public safety, I want to thank Ryan Hedgpeth, Leon Kenworthy, Zenji Nakazawa, Austin Randazzo, Jeanne Stockman, James Wiley, and James Zigouris.