Patrick Leahy: “I want to offer a comment on an aspect of the port security bill, included in the managers' package. The IP- enabled…”

“I want to offer a comment on an aspect of the port security bill, included in the managers' package. The IP- enabled voice communications and public safety provisions will encourage the use of E-911 by Voice over Internet Protocol providers. I want to thank Senator Stevens for removing language from the initial amendment that would have delayed implementation of this public safety program. The provisions that were removed would have needlessly endangered lives. Accordingly, the modification was essential. As Americans increasingly use IP-enabled voice communications, there is an increasing necessity to ensure these callers have access to their local 911 public safety answering points in case of emergency. The language of the initial amendment would have provided gaping loopholes for VoIP providers to avoid 911 obligations. It would have delayed the Federal Communications Commission's rules regarding implementation of 911 requirements on VoIP providers; grandfathered subscribers who signed up prior to December 31, 2005--meaning those subscribers would not be assured that when they called 911 they would reach their local first responders; and would have authorized other broad ``waivers'' from the rules. I want to thank the firefighters--specifically the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters--for bringing these important public safety concerns with the initial amendment to our attention.…”