New Measure Aims To Address Unauthorized Drone Filming Over Military Sites

Bipartisan legislation seeks to amend the Espionage Act of 1917 to criminalize drone filming over military installations.

Key Takeaways

The Drone Espionage Act introduces a new measure to criminalize shooting video footage of defense sites.
It amends the Espionage Act to include videography, addressing potential drone threats from adversaries like China.
The bill proposes penalties such as fines and imprisonment for those who capture unauthorized aerial footage.
Reps. Jen Kiggans and Don Davis spearhead the bipartisan effort to address foreign surveillance concerns.
Recent drone incidents raise alarms about unauthorized data collection near sensitive military sites.

Overview of the Drone Espionage Act

On the legislative floor, Representatives Jen Kiggans and Don Davis introduced the Drone Espionage Act in response to concerns about drone activities by adversarial nations. This proposed amendment to the Espionage Act of 1917 targets unlawful videography around critical US military installations. The act directly aims to address gaps in the Espionage Act, which currently includes prohibitions against photography but doesn’t mention video.

The bipartisan bill, titled H.R. 2939, aims to impose penalties including fines and up to 10 years imprisonment for those found guilty of capturing unauthorized footage of classified military zones. Legislators stress this update is essential as oncerns remain about China exploiting advanced technology to gain military intelligence.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the House to safeguard U.S. defense sites from video surveillance by drones operated by foreign agents, particularly those working for the Chinese communist regime.

Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Don Davis (D-N.C.), both members of…

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Addressing Critical Defense Concerns

Kiggans, a Navy veteran, emphasized the need to protect the country’s “military-heavy districts” from potential espionage. “As a Navy veteran who represents one of the most military-heavy districts in the country, I know how critical it is to safeguard our national defense infrastructure and protect sensitive national security information.”

The bill also responds to specific incidents, including a case where a Chinese national was convicted for using a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base. This proposal empowers federal prosecutors to take measures against foreign threats gaining access to sensitive information via unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Call for National Security Collaboration

Co-sponsor Don Davis highlighted the necessity of appropriate action to safeguard military sites: “We need a common-sense approach to protect our military installations and safeguard classified information.” Both representatives have rallied bipartisan support, recognizing the evolving landscape of international threats posed by airborne devices.

As incidents of unauthorized drone activities continue to pose concerns, the federal government’s proactive measures reflect the urgency among lawmakers to respond to technological threats. With collaboration from both political spheres, this legislative effort aims to commence a comprehensive response to potential breaches of national security.