DEFEND Act

This bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to send Congress a yearly assessment, for six years after the first one, of terrorism threats to the United States involving drones from or linked to foreign adversaries, including terrorist organizations. The first assessment would be due within 270 days after the law takes effect. Each assessment would cover topics such as drone tactics, smuggling methods, swarm attacks, chemical or biological payloads, use by cartels, and lessons from current conflicts. The assessments would be classified, with a public unclassified annex posted online, and the Secretary would give Congress a classified briefing within seven days of each one. The Department would also develop training and exercises for federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement on recognizing and responding to malicious drone use.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Elijah Crane Republican sponsor
• 5 cosponsors