Lawmakers Unveil Legislation Targeting Drone Filming of Defense Sites

The introduction of the Drone Espionage Act reveals a concerted effort by the US House to mitigate potential threats posed by unauthorized drone filming of military sites.

Quick Takes

A new piece of legislation aims to criminalize drone videography of national defense sites under the Espionage Act of 1917.
The current Espionage Act prohibits photography but does not mention video, and the new bill seeks to close this potential loophole.
New penalties would include fines and imprisonment up to 10 years.
The legislation displays a bipartisan effort to address potential foreign drone threats.

Legislative Background and Details

The US House of Representatives has introduced the Drone Espionage Act, a bill designed to amend the Espionage Act of 1917. This legislation aims to address a particular loophole—while the act currently prohibits photography of military sites, videography is not mentioned. The new bill seeks to close this gap by making unauthorized drone videography of defense sites a criminal offense under the Espionage Act.

The bill, spearheaded by Reps. Jen Kiggans and Don Davis, both members of the House Armed Services Committee, proposes severe penalties for violators, including fines and imprisonment for up to 10 years. It provides federal prosecutors with a crucial tool to combat foreign drones used for espionage, particularly from adversaries like China.

We are seeing more nefarious drone activity over places critical to our national security. As a Navy veteran who represents one of the most military-heavy districts in the country, my priority is to safeguard our national defense infrastructure and protect sensitive national… https://t.co/AhSFXwpwoV

— Jen Kiggans (@JenKiggans) April 19, 2025

Rationale Behind the Legislation

The introduction of this bill comes amid growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity. Reports of mysterious drone sightings have surfaced, especially in areas like Virginia’s Hampton Roads and along the East Coast, raising suspicions about surveillance by foreign entities. Recently, a Chinese citizen was sentenced after flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base to capture images, highlighting concerns about security measures.

According to the White House, some drones in restricted airspace were authorized; however, concerns about unlawful foreign surveillance persist. The bipartisan effort by Kiggans and Davis highlights the push for protecting military installations from potential espionage activities.

“As our adversaries attempt to gain unauthorized access to aerial footage of sensitive military sites, Congress must take action,” Davis said. “We need a common-sense approach to protect our military installations and safeguard classified information.”

Looking Forward

The Drone Espionage Act, introduced as H.R. 2939, demonstrates a concerted legislative response to the challenges posed by advancing drone technology. By inserting “video” into the banned means of criminal information gathering under Sec. 793 of the Espionage Act, the bill could strengthen national defense protocols against potential unauthorized surveillance. The bipartisan nature of the legislation reflects larger concerns about addressing national security risks arising from drone use.