Henrico Times

Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and a group of bipartisan lawmakers have introduced the American Security Drone Act of 2023. The act aims to prevent the federal government from purchasing drones manufactured in countries that pose national security threats, such as the People's Republic of China (PRC).

According to Rep. Wittman, using drones made by adversaries undermines America's ability to compete in the era of great power competition. He emphasized the importance of promoting American superiority and competitiveness in the drone market, protecting against intellectual property theft and data security violations by the Chinese Communist Party, and fortifying national security.

The American Security Drone Act includes several key provisions. It prohibits federal departments and agencies from operating or procuring any unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by covered foreign entities, including PRC-based drone manufacturers. It also restricts the use of federal funds to purchase these drones through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. Additionally, the act requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress detailing the procurement of foreign commercial off-the-shelf drones and covered unmanned aircraft systems by federal departments and agencies from covered foreign entities.

Rep. Courtney expressed support for the act, highlighting the need to reduce the United States government's reliance on foreign-manufactured drone technology. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing national security imperatives over expediency, especially when American manufacturers have the capability to meet the demand for unmanned surveillance capabilities.

Rep. Gallagher discussed the Chinese Communist Party's weaponization of its near monopoly on the drone market, citing restrictions on drone exports to Ukraine while Hamas uses them for terrorist attacks. He stressed the need to prevent the federal government from using American taxpayer dollars to purchase equipment from countries like China, as it supports the PRC's malign behavior and poses a serious national security threat to the United States and its allies.

Rep. Krishnamoorthi highlighted the bill's role in protecting against vulnerabilities caused by government agencies' reliance on foreign-manufactured drone technology. He emphasized the importance of data security, safeguarding national security, and strengthening American supply chains. He expressed his commitment to working with colleagues in the House and Senate to pass the bipartisan bill swiftly.

The introduction of the American Security Drone Act addresses concerns about the potential risks associated with using drones manufactured by countries that pose national security threats. The bill seeks to promote American competitiveness, protect against IP theft, and ensure data security. With bipartisan support, it is expected to garner attention and discussions in Congress as lawmakers work towards passing this legislation.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5305