Dhs Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6438) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator, and for other purposes, as amended.

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6438, the DHS Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Coordinator Act.

In 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration estimated that there were 1.9 million consumer unmanned aircraft systems vehicles, commonly known as drones, in the U.S. This number is expected to grow to a staggering 4.3 million by the end of 2020.

The increased availability and expanded use of drones has led to concerns over the potential risks to national security. Drones provide malicious actors both a robust aerial delivery mechanism for potentially hazardous payloads and anonymity in carrying out an attack.

This threat is not just imaginary. Known incidents involving drones have included weaponized use by ISIS and cartels, smuggling operations, intrusions at NFL and Olympic stadiums, and damage to electrical grid infrastructure in Canada.

Several DHS offices and components assess drone threats and are members of interagency and industry drone working groups which promote information sharing, research, and joint problem-solving initiatives. However, DHS currently does not have a centralized, departmentwide official responsible for the coordination of counter-drone policies and activities.

H.R. 6438 authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to designate a countering unmanned aircraft systems coordinator at the Department to serve as the lead DHS official for coordinating counter-drone threat planning policies and plans. H.R. 6438 enables DHS to centralize the coordination of counter-drone threat planning efforts under one official.

Under H.R. 6438, the countering UAS coordinator is responsible for coordinating with relevant DHS components on the development of policies and plans to counter threats from drones. The countering UAS coordinator promotes the research and development of counter-drone technologies within the Department and ensures that information and guidance regarding drone threats is disseminated across the Department as appropriate.

The coordinator will also serve as the principal Department official responsible for disseminating information to the private sector regarding DHS counter-drone measures and will ensure that DHS counter- drone activities are carried out in accordance with Federal laws.

H.R. 6438 is an important and timely piece of legislation that seeks to further prepare the Department in carrying out its duties in countering this emerging threat.

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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey. She has been a leader on this issue, and it is something that is important to both of us and to our country. I applaud her efforts and thank her for her support of these efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6438, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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