Washington, D.C. — Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced the Comprehensive Operations for Unmanned-System Neutralization and Threat Elimination Response (COUNTER) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to enhance airspace security at military bases.
A companion bill was also introduced today in the Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK).
“In recent years, there has been a disturbing increase in threats posed to U.S. military bases by unmanned aircraft systems, including from systems controlled by foreign adversaries. Despite this, our armed forces continue to tell us that they lack the authority to protect the skies over some of our most sensitive military installations," said Rep. Houlahan. "Today's introduction of the bipartisan COUNTER Act marks the next step towards delivering the expanded authorities our military needs to address the threats of unmanned aircraft systems and keep these facilities safe.”
“Unauthorized drone activity near and over U.S. military installations has become a persistent and growing national security concern. In the past year alone, there were more than 350 drone detections at 100 different military installations,” said Rep. Pfluger. "This is why I am proud to help lead the bipartisan COUNTER Act, which gives our armed forces the clear authority they need to take down hostile drones and defend our most sensitive installations. As a fighter pilot with hundreds of hours in combat experience, I know firsthand how critical airspace security is — and how urgent this action has become.”
“Leaving American military facilities vulnerable to drone incursions puts our service members, the general public, and our national security at risk. Our bill will expand the Department of Defense’s authority to neutralize unauthorized drones,” said Senator Cotton.
“As commercial drones become more commonplace, we must ensure that they are not being used to share sensitive information with our adversaries, to conduct attacks against our service members, or otherwise pose a threat to our national security. This legislation will enable DoD to more effectively mitigate threats from drones and allow for better interagency cooperation to keep Americans safe. I am proud to be introducing this important piece of bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get it passed,” said Senator Gillibrand.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
The COUNTER Act would:
- Expand the definition of a “covered facility” as it is in current law, enabling more bases to apply for approval to detect, track, and, if necessary, neutralize drones.
