U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Rob Wittman (R-VA) reintroduced legislation supporting the purchase of US drones by first responders, critical infrastructure providers and farmers.
The legislation, the Drones for First Responders Act, would create a grant program that would allow those groups to purchase drones manufactured by the US and its allies. The legislation also establishes that by 2030 imported drones would have to meet stricter rules of origin to ensure none of the critical components are sourced from China.
“The Chinese Communist Party is a clear and present threat to our national security and relying on their drones for our first responders is not only dangerous, but unacceptable,” LaHood said. “This critical piece of legislation supports American drone manufacturing and protects our communities. The United States must stand firm against foreign threats while prioritizing American innovation.”
Lawmakers said the legislation supports the U.S. drone industry while reducing our reliance on foreign adversaries and strengthening national security.
“Chinese drones pose an unacceptable surveillance risk to our first responders, our infrastructure, and our national security. For too long, the CCP has exploited unfair trade practices to dominate the global drone market and flood the United States with spyware-laden technology,” Moolenaar, the chair of the Select Committee on China, said. “This is about protecting our communities, rebuilding American manufacturing, and cutting off the CCP’s access to sensitive data.”
The lawmakers said the Chinese Communist Party has used unfair trade practices and direct government investment to undercut U.S. drone manufacturing. Currently, about 90 percent of drones used by American first responders are built in China.