Cruz introduces weather radio modernization bill with a new focus on flood communications

Sens. Ted Cruz, RTexas, and Maria Cantwell, D-Washington are introducing a bill to expand and improve federal weather radio in the wake of the devastating Hill Country flooding that left over 100 people dead.

The bill, which the two last introduced in 2023, has taken on new resonance after the July 4 flood. In a new addition from the prior version, the legislation contains provisions to set standards for emergency communications in flood-prone areas.

Cruz and Cantwell are the chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, respectively, giving the bill significant legislative heft. The 2023 version, which passed the Senate, was similarly bipartisan and introduced in the House, but never passed out of committee.