Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) blocked a bill that would expand law enforcement’s authority to monitor and mitigate drone activity, citing concerns about government overreach. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) proposed the legislation following a series of mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey, New York, and other states.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) supported the measure, arguing it would extend drone monitoring powers to state and local police, easing the burden on federal agencies. However, Paul, known for opposing surveillance legislation, criticized the bill as a “power grab” comparable to the Patriot Act, claiming it could violate civil liberties.
The bill, introduced in 2023, gained momentum after reports of large drones flying over urban areas at night. Schumer emphasized the need for local authorities to assist in providing answers and called federal resources insufficient. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has also urged congressional action, while the Biden administration maintains the drones pose no threat but has released little information on their origins.
Paul argued that passing legislation before fully understanding the issue would be premature. A joint statement from DHS, the FBI, and the FAA confirmed a “limited number” of sightings near military facilities but suggested many were misidentified or lawful drones.
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