USCP Empowerment Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 3334

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-24: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-06-27T08:06:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The USCP Empowerment Act of 2025 aims to empower the United States Capitol Police (USCP) to address security threats from unmanned aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) targeting Capitol facilities and assets. It grants specific authorities to mitigate credible threats while ensuring coordination with aviation authorities and protections for privacy and civil liberties.

Key Provisions

• Authorization for Actions Against Drones: The Capitol Police Board may allow USCP personnel to detect, identify, monitor, track, warn operators, disrupt control, seize, confiscate, or use reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy drones posing a credible threat (as defined by the Board) to covered Capitol facilities or assets. These actions can occur without the drone operator's prior consent and may involve intercepting communications used to control the drone.
• Coordination Requirements: Actions must be developed in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation. The USCP must also coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if operations could impact aviation safety, airspace use, or aircraft operations.
• Research and Testing: The Capitol Police Board can conduct research, testing, training, and evaluation of equipment (including electronic tools) to assess its effectiveness for these actions.
• Forfeiture: Any seized drone is subject to forfeiture to the United States government.
• Regulations and Guidance: The Board, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, can issue regulations and guidance to implement the Act, including FAA coordination for airspace-related matters.
• Privacy Protections: Regulations must align with the First Amendment (free speech) and Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches) of the U.S. Constitution. Key rules include:
• Limiting interception of drone communications to what's necessary for threat mitigation.
• Retaining records for no more than 180 days, unless needed for investigations, ongoing security, legal requirements, or litigation.
• Restricting disclosure of intercepted communications to specific law enforcement or regulatory purposes, or as required by law.
• Allowing limited sharing of threat information (excluding communications) with state, local, territorial, or tribal law enforcement during operations.
• Reporting to Congress: The USCP Chief (or designee) must submit biannual reports to relevant congressional committees (House Administration and Senate Rules and Administration) detailing activities, impacts on airspace, privacy policies, incidents of harm or damage, public engagement, and new technologies used. Reports are unclassified but may include a classified annex.
• Scope and Limitations:
• Authority does not transfer powers between the Capitol Police Board, Secretary of Transportation, or FAA.
• The program is the only one the Board can operate for drone threats; it terminates for certain areas (e.g., Library of Congress buildings) on a date specified in existing law (section 210G(i) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002).
• Definitions: Key terms include "covered Capitol Police facility or asset" (Capitol buildings, grounds, and Board-directed areas); "unmanned aircraft system" (as defined in federal aviation law); and communication terms (e.g., wire, oral, electronic) from federal criminal code.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Overrides Specific Restrictions: The Act explicitly supersedes parts of federal aviation law (49 U.S.C. § 46502, prohibiting aircraft interference) and criminal code sections (18 U.S.C. §§ 32, 1030, 1367; chapters 119 and 206 on wiretapping and electronic surveillance) that would otherwise limit drone detection, disruption, or communication interception without consent.
• Expands USCP Powers: Introduces new, targeted authorities for the Capitol Police Board to act proactively against drone threats, including non-consensual interference, which were not previously authorized in this context for Capitol security.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enhances USCP's ability to protect Capitol assets, requiring closer collaboration with the FAA and Department of Transportation to avoid disrupting national airspace or civilian flights. Increases administrative burdens through mandatory reporting and privacy compliance.
• On Citizens: Improves security around the U.S. Capitol, potentially reducing risks from unauthorized drones during events or daily operations. However, it could indirectly affect drone hobbyists, commercial operators, or journalists near the Capitol by allowing seizures or disruptions, balanced by privacy safeguards to limit unwarranted surveillance.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though shared threat information with law enforcement could aid broader counter-drone efforts in multinational contexts; no explicit international provisions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• United States Capitol Police and Capitol Police Board: Primary beneficiaries, gaining expanded operational authorities and responsibilities for coordination, reporting, and privacy oversight.
• Federal Agencies: FAA and Department of Transportation must coordinate to ensure aviation safety; potential involvement from Department of Defense or other law enforcement for information sharing.
• Congress: Receives regular reports and oversees implementation through committees; represents protected facilities.
• Drone Operators and Public: Individuals or businesses using drones near the Capitol face risks of intervention if deemed a threat; general public gains from heightened security but may experience temporary airspace restrictions.
• Law Enforcement: State, local, territorial, and tribal agencies can receive threat information, fostering inter-agency cooperation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Establishes a forfeiture process for seized drones and mandates constitutional compliance, potentially setting precedents for counter-drone measures in sensitive areas while clarifying limits on surveillance under federal wiretap and aviation laws.
• Constitutional Implications: Explicitly requires actions to respect First and Fourth Amendment rights, addressing privacy concerns from communication interceptions; includes time-limited record retention and disclosure restrictions to prevent overreach.
• Political Implications: Strengthens national security for a symbolic government site amid rising drone threats, but requires ongoing congressional oversight to balance security with civil liberties and airspace management; reflects bipartisan interest in protecting democratic institutions without broadly expanding federal powers.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-24: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
• 2026-06-24: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• USCP Empowerment Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (11 pages)