Crenshaw’s Bipartisan Drone Legislation Advances Through Homeland Security Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – Led by Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Ranking Member Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Representative Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM), H.R. 4753 unanimously passed the House Committee on Homeland Security. The Drone Origin Security Enhancement Act would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from operating, providing financial assistance for, or entering into or renewing a contract for the procurement of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) from China, which the Summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy deemed a “strategic competitor.”

Click here to view the text of the bill.

“We’re seeing the impact drones have on foreign relations play out in real time,” said Crenshaw. “This technology continues to pioneer a new frontier, but we cannot ignore the threats it poses to the homeland.  Our bill ensures American drone technology will be free from Chinese influence, which is crucial because it’s been demonstrated time after time that we cannot trust Chinese technology in sensitive national security hardware.

“As new technologies develop, we must stay a step ahead of the potential threats they present,” Rogers said. “China and other adversaries are willing and able to use emerging technologies like drones for surveillance and espionage. I am proud to support Reps. Crenshaw and Torres Small’s legislation to ensure drone technology is not compromised by nefarious foreign actors.”

"We are in a new age of cyber conflict. The United States must be intentional with who we trust to manufacture our most sensitive technology. Our homeland security and the safety of users depends on it,” said Torres Small.

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