WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) and Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Dale Strong (R-AL) announced a hearing for next Tuesday, April 1, to examine the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, across the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) mission.
 
 “From increasing domain awareness for Border Patrol agents in the field to surveying damage after disaster strikes, drones play a vital role in the emergency management, public safety, and border security missions,” Chairmen Guest and Strong said. “We look forward to hearing from our private sector and academic witnesses on how this emerging technology can continue to enhance our homeland security.”
 
DETAILS:
 
What: A joint hearing by the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement and the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology entitled, “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”
 
When: Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET
 
Where: 310 Cannon House Office Building
 
WITNESSES:
 
Bryan Farrell 
Interim Director, Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, Mississippi State University
 
Mike Ledbetter
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, COLSA Corporation
 
Jerry Hendrix
Executive Director, Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center, the University of Alabama in Huntsville
 
Kevin Fetterman
Fire Division Chief, Division 4, Orange County Fire Authority, on behalf of the International Association of Fire Chiefs

Witness testimony can be found here. The hearing will be livestreamed on YouTube and will be open to the public and press. Press must be congressionally credentialed and should RSVPin advance. 

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