mr. zinser. >> chairman thune ranking member nelson, members of the committee, we appreciate the opportunity to testify today as the committee examines firstnet's progress and challenges in establishing the national public safety broadband network called for under the middle-class tax relief and job creation act of 2012. unlike the nationwide telecommunication networks currently aviolable which have been built by the private sector the act authorizes firstnet to use a substantial amount of public money, $7 billion, to build a public safety network. making internal controls, in compliance with those internal controls all the more important. there is no question that it is critically important for our first responders nationwide to have state-of-the-art communications and data capabilities at all times. getting there will be very challenging, oversight of firstnet is also very challenging. at an april 23 2013 firstnet board meeting a former board member presented a resolution raising various concer

mr. todd zinser who is inspector general to the department of commerce. we will start on my left and your right with mr. andrews. if you can keep the comments con confined to five minutes. >> good morning chairman ranking member nelson and member of the committee. thank you for having me testify. i worked on the staff of this committee when senator rock feller and hutchinson conceived of safe net and this mission erose in the wake of the 9/11 attacks when the work of the first responder was impaired by the problem with communication. we are proud of ow role helping to stand up and support this program. this is a difficult mission but we are confidant first net is making strong progress toward meeting its goals. a nationwide first responder network will enhance safety public communications across agencies and jurisdictions. first net is an independent authority within the national tell communication and information administration to develop and maintain this network. this is one of the most significant initiatives and it is challenging the self sustaining w

mr. todd zinser who is inspector general to the department of commerce. we will start on my left and your right with mr. andrews. if you can keep the comments con confined to five minutes. >> good morning chairman ranking member nelson and member of the committee. thank you for having me testify. i worked on the staff of this committee when senator rock feller and hutchinson conceived of safe net and this mission erose in the wake of the 9/11 attacks when the work of the first responder was impaired by the problem with communication. we are proud of ow role helping to stand up and support this program. this is a difficult mission but we are confidant first net is making strong progress toward meeting its goals. a nationwide first responder network will enhance safety public communications across agencies and jurisdictions. first net is an independent authority within the national tell communication and information administration to develop and maintain this network. this is one of the most significant initiatives and it is challenging the self sustaining w

mr. todd zinser serves as the inspector to the department of commerce. so we will start on my left and you're right with mr. andrews and proceed if you can to keep your comments can't find as closely to five minutes as possible and then we will proceed with questions. >> good morning chairman, ranking member nelson and members of the committee thank you for inviting me to hear today to testify. i feel a special affinity for firstnet because i actually worked on the staff of the committee for senator rockefeller and hutchison originally conceived of the first net and as we know this arose as a result of the week of the 9/11 attacks when the work of the brave responders was impaired by the problems with communications. we at the department are proud of the role or helping to stand up and support this important program. this is a difficult mission. but we are confident they are making strong progress towards meeting its goals. the nationwide first responder network the key recommendation of the 9/11 commission commission will enhance public safety communicat