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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman August Pfluger's (TX-11) bipartisan and bicameral legislation, the Mystic Alerts Act, advanced through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This is a major step forward for emergency preparedness nationwide.

In response to his legislation's passage, Congressman August Pfluger said, "The devastating floods that swept through Central Texas and Camp Mystic, where two of my daughters were staying, exposed a critical gap in how we warn Americans when disaster strikes. The Mystic Alerts Act ensures that emergency alerts can reach families and first responders by satellite, even when traditional networks fail. I'm grateful for the support of Senator Cornyn, Senator Ossoff, and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Cruz in getting this legislation one step closer to becoming law."

Rep. Pfluger's bipartisan Mystic Alerts Act modernizes America's emergency alert infrastructure by integrating satellite networks into the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, helping ensure Americans can receive critical, life-saving alerts even when traditional communications infrastructure is damaged or nonexistent.

Rep. Pfluger introduced this bipartisan legislation alongside Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Buddy Carter (GA-01), and Marc Veasey (TX-33). Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senator John Ossoff (D-GA) led the Senate companion legislation.

“Last year’s devastating July 4^th flooding at Camp Mystic and across Central Texas showed how quickly a disaster can occur and reminds us that critical warnings matter,” said Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). “The Mystic Alerts Act would help ensure communities receive timely alerts without having to use a cellular connection, and I urge my Senate colleagues to support this legislation to update our wireless emergency alert technology and save lives.”

"The catastrophic 2025 Fourth of July floods devastated families and communities across Texas. No Texan will ever forget the tragic loss of more than 135 people, including 27 precious campers and counselors at Camp Mystic. As a father of two girls and as a Texan, I’ve been committed to doing everything in my power as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee to help ensure families never endure a tragedy like this again. When disaster strikes, every second matters. Americans should be able to trust that critical, life-saving alerts will reach them when and where they most need them. That is exactly what the Mystic Alerts Act will do. I applaud my fellow Texan and friend, Representative August Pfluger, for his leadership on this critical legislation, and I was proud to advance it through the Senate Commerce Committee today. We are now one step closer to getting the Mystic Alerts Act to the President’s desk, and more importantly, to implementing a stronger emergency alert system that will save lives," said Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX).

“In Houston and across the state of Texas, we are still heartbroken and grieving the loss of beloved family members and the destruction of communities along the Guadalupe River in the summer of 2025, a disaster made worse by communication gaps and failures,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07). “This bill is a small but important way to provide a meaningful response to the devastating floods and to learn from the tragedy so that communities across the country do not have to experience the same pain and loss that Texans did last year. Nothing can bring back those that we lost in the flood, but we owe it to their survivors and to everyone we represent to do all we can to try to prevent another tragedy like it. I am glad to partner with Congressman Pfluger, Congressman Veasey, and Congressman Carter in this effort and in the work to get this legislation signed into law.”

“My granddaughters were staying at Camp Mystic when the devastating floods claimed the lives of many young girls, including their cousin, Janie Hunt. No family should ever have to endure a tragedy like this again. I am encouraged to see the Senate Commerce Committee take up the Mystic Alerts Act, which will help ensure lifesaving emergency alerts reach families when traditional communications fail. We have an opportunity to turn an unimaginable tragedy into action that can save lives, and I urge the Senate to move quickly to get this bill to President Trump’s desk," said Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01).

"I am proud of the passage of the Mystic Alerts Act through the Senate Commerce Committee today. This bill will ensure that emergency alerts can be disseminated via satellite even when commercial cell providers are unable to provide service,” said Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33). “I am honored to support this piece of legislation as a significant step and response to the devastation caused by last year’s floods in Texas and as a reminder of the importance of preparing for future flood disasters. When disaster strikes, every second matters, and no family should be left without critical information simply because the power or cell service is down."