The U.S. House of Representatives on April 20 approved a bipartisan emergency preparedness bill introduced by U.S. Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) that has advanced to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
The Mystic Alerts Act, H.R. 7022, which Rep. Pfluger sponsored on Jan. 12 alongside original cosponsors Rep. Carter and U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), would modernize America’s emergency alert infrastructure by integrating satellite networks into the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system to ensure Americans can receive life-saving alerts even when traditional communications infrastructure is damaged or nonexistent.
“Disaster doesn’t wait, and neither can we,” Rep. Pfluger said. “The devastating July 4th floods that tore through Central and West Texas, including Camp Mystic where two of my daughters were staying, were a powerful reminder of the stakes.”
If enacted, the congressman said that H.R. 7022 steps up where our systems often fall short, ensuring WEAs can still be delivered via satellite when traditional networks fail.
“This means life-saving information can reach families and first responders when it matters most,” said Rep. Pfluger on Monday. “Today’s passage is a major, common-sense win to strengthen emergency communications preparedness and protect our communities from facing a tragedy like this again.”
Rep. Carter said his granddaughters also were staying at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, on the Guadalupe River when a catastrophic flash flood caused by intense rainfall hit over the July Fourth weekend in 2025, killing at least 27 people, including their cousin, Janie Hunt.
The camp director testified this month during a court hearing that he did not see flood alerts, or state and federal warnings issued prior to the event. He testified he never got a National Weather Service flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m. and that he slept through a CodeRED alert text at the same time that was specific to his area, according to NBC-DFW Channel 5.
“No child or family should have to endure a tragedy like this again,” Rep. Carter said. “This bill will strengthen communication infrastructure during emergencies by implementing satellite-enabled alerts that can mean the difference between life and death. I am proud to see the Mystic Alerts Act pass the House, look forward to the Senate taking it up, and to its eventual signing into law.”