WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) and Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) announced a hearing for Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET to examine the full scope of threats posed to our homeland security by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones.
 
“In the wrong hands, drone technology has the potential to negatively impact the essential mission of law enforcement agencies, disrupt our critical infrastructure, and even surveil sensitive U.S. military and other sites in the homeland,” Chairmen Pfluger and Gimenez said. “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. We are eager to hear from FBI, DOJ, and CBP officials, as well as private sector stakeholders, to gain a deeper understanding of the emerging threats posed by the malicious use of drones in the United States and to explore how law enforcement can more effectively address these threats.” 
 
DETAILS:
 
What: A joint hearing by the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence and Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security entitled, “Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Systems.”
 
When: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET
 
Where: 310 Cannon House Office Building

WITNESSES:

Panel I:

Keith Jones
Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner of Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Robert W. Wheeler Jr.
Assistant Director of the Critical Incident Response Group, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Brad Wiegmann
Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Department of Justice

Panel II:

Cathy Lanier
Chief Security Officer, National Football League

Paul Schwennesen, PhD
Co-Director, Global Strategy Decisions Group

Jeffrey Baumgartner
Vice President of National Security and Resilience, Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Witness testimony will be added here. The hearing will be livestreamed on YouTube and will be open to the public and press. 
 
Background:
 
In June 2024, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act of 2024.
 
This bill renews and reforms current legal authorities, set to expire in October, that provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) with critical tools to mitigate credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. The legislation also modifies and improves counter-UAS authorities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and enhances important protections for the civil liberties of Americans using drones in a legal and responsible manner, strengthening public safety in communities throughout the nation. This legislation was favorably reported out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in September.
 
In June 2024, Chairman Green, MD and House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to declassify certain information pertaining to the national security threats posed by drones that have been produced, manufactured, or assembled in the People’s Republic of China. This includes information on drones made by Da Jiang Innovations (DJI) and Autel Robotics (Autel), both of which are headquartered in China and control up to 90 percent of the global drone market. 
 
In May 2024, Chairman Pfluger, along with Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), held a hearing during National Police Week to examine how first responders are using UAS, to improve public safety in communities throughout the nation, while considering possible security vulnerabilities and privacy concerns. Members heard testimony from key experts, including officials from the NYPD and Orange County Fire Department. 
 
In May 2023, the Committee on Homeland Security advanced Vice Chair Michael Guest’s (R-MS) Unmanned Aerial Security Act. This bill prohibits DHS from entering into, or renewing, a contract for any UAS, or drone, that has been manufactured in the People’s Republic of China or in other adversarial countries.  This legislation passed through the House of Representatives in July 2023. 
 

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