Bilirakis Questions FCC Commissioners on Closing of Tampa Field Office, Defending First Responders

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, today questioned FCC Commissioners regarding the impending closing of the FCC's Tampa Bay Field Office.

"Last year, a Tampa Bay-area resident was using a jammer to block local law enforcement radios and calls to 911, which resulted in a serious threat to surrounding individuals and families. Now, the FCC wants to shut down the Tampa Bay field office which means that any future problems will be dealt with by the Miami field office," said Bilirakis. "The FCC says they want to "take action" on 99% of complaints of interference to public safety communications within one day, but with the closest field office over four hours away, I am worried the FCC's actions will result in an increased risk for our community's first responders and residents."

Representative Bilirakis previously served as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications. He has a long history of working on behalf of first responders.

To view Congressman Bilirakis' questions, click here.