Rep. Van Epps Introduces Legislation to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure from Drone Threats
Rep. Van Epps Introduces Legislation to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure from Drone Threats
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) introduced The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act to strengthen protections for America’s most vital infrastructure against unauthorized drone activity and attacks. This legislation will enhance security at critical infrastructure sites, including hospitals, power plants, water treatment facilities, chemical processing facilities, and dams.
Rep. Van Epps said, “As Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing, developing counter-drone capabilities is a top priority, especially when considering upcoming major events. I agree, but the threat goes even further. America’s adversaries are increasingly turning to cheap, easily deployable drones to target the critical infrastructure that keeps our country running.
“From health care and agriculture to energy, transportation, manufacturing, and our defense industrial base, critical infrastructure is now on the front lines. An attack on a single chemical facility, power station, or water system could cause devastating economic damage and put American lives at risk,” Rep. Van Epps continued.
Rep. Van Epps concluded, “I am grateful to Senator Cotton for introducing The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act, and am proud to lead the effort in the House. As someone who served in the War on Terror, I know how ruthless our enemies can be. They will not balk at hitting the United States where it would hurt us most, which is why we must empower critical infrastructure sites to protect themselves.”
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) introduced this bill in the Senate. Upon introduction, he stated, “Our hospitals, power plants, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure sites can’t remain sitting ducks for potential drone attacks. My bill will ensure these important sites are protected from all unauthorized drones.”
Background:
This legislation would:
- Authorize critical infrastructure operators to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones operating over protected sites.
- Establish a grant program for critical infrastructure sites to purchase, install, and operate approved technology.
- Critical infrastructure refers to the assets, systems, and networks—whether physical or virtual—that are so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on national security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination of these.
Read my one-pager here.
Read the text of the bill here.