U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) on June 5 cosponsored a GOP-led bill to increase the rate of duty on Chinese-made drones, which currently dominate the United States market and present a national security risk.
“The Chinese Communist Party is a clear and present threat to our national security and relying on their drones for our first responders is not only dangerous, but unacceptable,” Rep. LaHood said. “This critical piece of legislation supports American drone manufacturing and protects our communities. The United States must stand firm against foreign threats while prioritizing American innovation.”
Rep. LaHood and Rep. Moolenaar introduced the Drones for First Responders Act, H.R. 3786, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to help create a grant program to allow first responders, critical infrastructure providers, and farmers to purchase drones manufactured by the U.S. and its allies.
H.R. 3786 also would establish that by 2030, imported drones must meet strengthened rules of origin to ensure critical components are not sourced from China, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Chinese drones pose an unacceptable surveillance risk to our first responders, our infrastructure, and our national security,” said Rep. Moolenaar. “For too long, the CCP has exploited unfair trade practices to dominate the global drone market and flood the United States with spyware-laden technology. This is about protecting our communities, rebuilding American manufacturing, and cutting off the CCP’s access to sensitive data.”
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International and the Coalition for A Prosperous America endorsed the measure, which has been referred for consideration to several U.S. House committees: Ways and Means; Transportation and Infrastructure; and Agriculture.