Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen Statement on Passage of Legislation to Counter Dangerou
 

Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen Statement on Passage of Legislation to Counter Dangerous Unmanned Aerial Systems

10-04-2018 08:42 AM

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen released the following statement today on the passage of*the*FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018,*which will provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) with authorities to counter unmanned aerial systems (CUAS) used for nefarious purposes:

“The evolving threat posed by malicious drone technology is quickly outpacing the federal government’s*ability to respond. Transnational criminals use drones to identify security gaps in order to sneak into the country undetected. Smugglers*use drones to*bring*illegal drugs across the border. Terrorist groups aspire to use armed drones against our homeland and U.S. interests and have already deployed such devices abroad to surveil, disrupt, and kill.*

“Existing legal constraints and statutes have prohibited the Department of Homeland Security from addressing these drone-threat scenarios and protecting the American people. The Department’s lack of authorities also prevented us from testing truly needed drone-defense technologies.*Today Congress took a major step forward to address these vulnerabilities.

“I am grateful Congress has voted to send a bill to the President’s desk that provides DHS the crucial authorities it needs to protect the homeland against unmanned aerial threats.*Today’s action will help the U.S. government identify, track, and mitigate weaponized or dangerous unmanned aerial systems in our skies.

“I would like to thank Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Ranking Member Claire McCaskill (D-MO), of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) of the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee; Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) for their support.

“Additionally, I would like to thank Chairman Michael*McCaul*(R-TX), Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) of the House Homeland Security Committee; Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) of the House Judiciary Committee; Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), who championed this legislation.*

“The Department can now begin to address these vulnerabilities and stop nefarious actors from exploiting them.”


Keywords: CUAS, dhs, DOJ, Secretary Nielsen
Topics: Homeland Security Enterprisehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/dhs/zOAi/~4/o7gp5RW7tb8

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