Hearing Report: House Committee Holds Hearing on Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Systems
December 10, 2024
This afternoon, House Homeland Security Subcommittees on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence and Transportation and Maritime Security held a joint hearing to examine the scope of threats posed to the homeland security by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones. Both Subcommittee Chairmen August Pfluger (R-TX) and Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) expressed concern about the potential for drone technology to negatively compromise national security and public safety as well as disrupt critical infrastructure including airports. They noted that “As these threats evolve rapidly, Congress must be prepared to meet the moment to ensure law enforcement has the necessary authorities and tools to swiftly detect, track, and mitigate hostile drone activity.”
The Committee heard from two panels that discussed current authorities, the need to expand authorities to protect the most vulnerable locations, and how to most effectively address UAS threats. The first panel included witnesses from the federal government including the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The second panel included private sector witnesses from Berkshire Hathaway Energy and the Global Strategy Decisions Group. A witness from the National Football League was also scheduled to testify but had to cancel at the last minute.
Numerous and unexplained recent drone activity in New Jersey was a frequent topic of discussion during the hearing. Airport issues were briefly discussed.
During the hearing, both the Subcommittees’ chairmen and ranking members spoke in support of reauthorizing current authorities for the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security first established in 2018 and are set to expire on December 20, 2024. They also spoke in favor of expanding protective coverage to airports and other critical infrastructure and empowering state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement to engage in counter-UAS efforts nationwide. These authorities were included in H.R. 8610, the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan, multi-committee bill that favorably advanced out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on September 18, 2024. As a reminder, H.R. 8610 provides a broad framework to reauthorize and expand the use of counter-unmanned aircraft systems detection and mitigation systems to protect airports and other critical infrastructure from nefarious and unauthorized drone threats throughout the National Airspace System. This legislation will not be enacted into law before the 118th Congress adjourns later in December. AAAE expects legislation on this topic to be re-introduced in the 119th Congress.
Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Shri Thanedar (D-MI) specifically noted his interest in making sure airports were protected from drones and the importance of carefully testing technology in this area. The joint DOJ and FBI written statement also supported expanding authorities to provide permanent protection of transportation facilities, such as civilian airports which are “acutely vulnerable to UAS incursions” and “to permit the owners and operators of airports to use federally vetted UAS detection-only capabilities, subject to conditions and safeguards.”
Key Links:
• Joint Subcommittees hearing video
• Witnesses written statements
