To help protect national security, U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) on April 17 sponsored legislation that would make it illegal for drone video footage to be taken of United States national defense sites.
“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,” Rep. Kiggans said. “A key step in achieving those protections is to ensure individuals cannot use drone videography to spy on our national defense sites.”
Specifically, the Drone Espionage Act, H.R. 2939, would update the Espionage Act of 1917 to include videography of sensitive national defense sites as a crime punishable with a fine, 10 years of imprisonment, or both.
“I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Drone Espionage Act to hold these bad actors accountable, impose serious repercussions, and protect our national security,” said Rep. Kiggans. “As China and other adversaries ramp up threats and increase their drone usage, we must send a clear message that we will not tolerate unlawful surveillance on American soil.”
According to information provided by the congresswoman’s staff, drones are increasingly used by America’s adversaries, particularly China, to capture video of sensitive national defense sites, which are defined as including a vessel, aircraft, work of defense, navy yard, naval station, submarine base, fueling station, fort, battery, torpedo station, dockyard, canal, railroad, arsenal, camp, factory, mine, telegraph, telephone, wireless, or signal station, building, office, research laboratory or station or other place connected with the national defense owned or constructed, or in progress of construction by the U.S. or under the control of the U.S.
Currently, it is illegal under the Espionage Act to take photos of national defense sites, but the statue makes no mention of videography.
If enacted, H.R. 2939 would amend Section 793 of the Espionage Act by adding “video” to the list of criminal information-gathering means by those seeking to harm the national defense.
The measure has been referred to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee for consideration.