Senators get satellite phones as a precaution before hurricane season.

Senate Members Receive Satellite Phones for Emergency Communication

The Senate’s sergeant-at-arms has distributed satellite phones to senators and staff ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season. The phones provide a critical lifeline during disasters that impact local communication capabilities. They can also be used in areas without cellular service. The specific lawmakers using the phones and the provider or providers were not named. The move follows a tightening of Senate security practices after the events of Jan. 6, 2021. At least 50 senators have reportedly taken the phones. The crackdown on threats to lawmakers is in line with actions by Attorney General Merrick Garland.