Visual Protection of Strategic Assets Act

This bill changes federal espionage law about photographing, filming, or tracking certain military aircraft and bases. It names four countries of concern (North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran) and says that if a citizen or national of one of them, or someone acting for one, photographs, videos, or tracks a listed high-value asset or tier-1 installation, the law will presume they meant to harm the United States unless they prove they had prior Defense Department approval. The Secretary of Defense must keep and publish a yearly list of these assets and bases and post signs saying photography is prohibited. The bill expands the existing ban on photographing defense installations to include video, livestreaming, and AI-enhanced images, raises prison terms, and adds device forfeiture and civil fines of up to $100,000. Citizens of countries of concern convicted under this law would have their visas revoked and be placed in removal proceedings.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Tom Cotton Republican sponsor
• 0 cosponsors