WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) released the following statements after their Mystic Alerts Act, which will allow wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to be delivered via satellite communications technologies when other pathways fail during emergencies, including disasters like the Fourth of July floods in Central Texas last year, passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the President’s desk:

“More than 130 people were tragically killed in the July 4th floods that ravaged Central Texas last year, many of whom did not receive emergency alerts due to compromised cellular networks that were knocked out by the storm,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill will address this technology shortfall and honor the memory of those lost by ensuring Texans and all Americans can receive wireless emergency alerts on their mobile devices via satellite even when disaster strikes, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon.”

“When storms, disasters, or threats to public safety threaten our state, crisis management is key,” said Sen. Ossoff. “This bipartisan bill with Senator Cornyn will help upgrade America’s emergency alert systems to keep Georgia families safe and informed.”

“I am grateful that the Mystic Alerts Act is now heading to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. The July 4th floods of 2025 were a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed lives across our state. My legislation will ensure that Americans in rural areas receive life-saving alerts when disaster strikes and traditional networks fail. I thank Senator Cornyn for his partnership in leading the Mystic Alerts Act in the Senate, and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz for advancing it through his committee. This marks a crucial step in updating emergency preparedness nationwide,” said Rep. Pfluger.

Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed it unanimously on April 20, 2026.

Background:

On July 4, 2025, a devastating flood in the Texas Hill Country tragically killed 28 individuals at Camp Mystic in Kerrville in addition to more than 100 other individuals across Central Texas. There were multiple reports of undelivered WEAs throughout the areas impacted by the disaster once cellular infrastructure was damaged.

The Mystic Alerts Act will:

• Allow cellular companies to partner with satellite communications providers to deliver WEAs during emergencies;
• Direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish the necessary rules and policies to preserve the effectiveness of WEA infrastructure while integrating satellite communication;
• And create a new communications pathway to enable the delivery of emergency alerts in areas where other infrastructure has been destroyed or taken offline.