At the Butler Farm Show, we climbed to the rooftop of the building where the assassin was hidden. We looked at sight lines and learned about the shooter’s preparation and research, including his use of a drone. We interviewed local law enforcement officials and discussed threat assessments and existing protection protocols. It was important to be there in person and an important part of our investigation.
And while I and the other members of the Task Force are dedicated to the work ahead of us to understand what happened and to work to prevent the systemic failures that allowed it, my visit to Butler underscored for me a different and very real threat —evolving technology. In June of last year, Speaker Mike Johnson, Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Representative Troy Carter (D-LA), and I introduced H.R. 4333, the bipartisan Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act of 2023. Our goal is to improve the federal government’s ability to keep Americans safe from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), more commonly referred to as drones, and create new opportunities for federal agencies to coordinate counter-drone measures at the state and local level. When we introduced the bill, Speaker Johnson said, “As the market for unmanned aircraft systems expands, it is critically important that our law enforcement agencies are equipped with the tools necessary to counteract any potential threats. I’m proud to join this bipartisan group of lawmakers in sponsoring this bill.”
That bill and its bipartisan counterpart in the Senate, S.1631, introduced by Senators Gary Peters, Ron Johnson, Kyrsten Sinema, and John Hoeven, are still in committee. Meanwhile, the existing authorities granted to agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to intercept drone threats are set to expire on October 1.
It is up to us in Congress to effectively legislate on behalf of the American people and act with their best interests in mind. I am committed to bringing my own military experience and my efforts on this bill to the work of the Task Force now. We cannot prevent a future tragedy without understanding and preparing for drones and emerging technologies that may endanger all of us, whether we are political candidates or community members.
There is no place or time where political violence is acceptable. None. No one should ever hesitate to serve in our government because they fear political violence. No person or family should ever feel vulnerable when attending a rally or event for a candidate. We don’t need to agree with a candidate’s opinions or policies, but the way to express either support or disagreement is through speaking up and at the ballot box. That’s what democracy is all about. And as our representative, I will never stop fighting to preserve the republic and our democracy, no matter who you vote for or what party you support. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do this as a member of the Task Force and in the work I do for you every day.
