A bill to require the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security to complete a threat assessment regarding unmanned aircraft systems at or near the international borders of the United States, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 1908
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-20T12:44:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Border Drone Threat Assessment Act (S. 1908) aims to evaluate and address security risks from unmanned aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) operated by harmful entities near U.S. international borders. It mandates a formal threat assessment to improve understanding of these risks and guide potential future responses.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including "unmanned aircraft system" (a drone and its components, as per federal aviation law), "malign actor" (individuals or groups involved in foreign harmful influence, drug trafficking, or organized cross-border crime), "at or near the international borders" (within 100 air miles of U.S. land or coastal borders), and lists "appropriate congressional committees" (14 Senate and House committees focused on intelligence, security, transportation, and foreign affairs).
- Threat Assessment: The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security must complete an assessment within one year of enactment, consulting the Commander of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), Director of National Intelligence, DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, FAA Administrator, and other intelligence agencies. The assessment covers:
- Identification of harmful actors using drones near borders.
- U.S. government methods for detecting and assessing drone threats.
- Data collected by drones and its misuse by harmful actors.
- Tactics for acquiring, modifying, and using drones in malicious activities like surveillance, attacks, or smuggling contraband.
- Policies protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties for lawful drone operators.
- U.S. capabilities to counter, trace, or mitigate drone threats.
- Evaluation of whether the U.S. has full "air domain awareness" (complete monitoring of airspace) near borders.
- Review of current legal authorities and agency roles in countering drone threats.
- Report and Briefing: Within 180 days of completing the assessment, the Under Secretary must submit a report to congressional committees, including threat descriptions, current government responsibilities and policies, and recommendations for new authorities or resources. The report will be unclassified but may include a classified section. A briefing to committees must follow within 90 days.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new requirements without directly amending prior laws. It adds a one-time obligation for a comprehensive drone threat assessment and reporting process, building on existing authorities under national security and aviation statutes (e.g., National Security Act and federal aviation code) by mandating coordinated inter-agency analysis specifically for border drone risks.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances coordination among Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), intelligence community, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), potentially leading to improved detection technologies, resource allocation, or policy updates for border security. It may strain resources for the required assessment and reporting.
- Citizens: Protects privacy and civil liberties by requiring inclusion of related guidance in the assessment, which could influence how lawful drone use (e.g., by hobbyists or businesses) is regulated near borders without unduly restricting it.
- International Relations: Focuses on foreign harmful influences and cross-border crime, potentially informing diplomatic efforts or sanctions against nations or groups enabling drone threats, though it does not directly alter foreign policy tools.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies and Officials: DoD Under Secretary for Intelligence and Security (lead role), USNORTHCOM Commander, Director of National Intelligence, DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, FAA Administrator, and broader intelligence community.
- Congressional Committees: 14 specified committees overseeing intelligence, homeland security, transportation, judiciary, armed services, and foreign affairs, which will receive the report and briefing.
- Lawful Drone Operators: Individuals or entities operating drones legally near borders, whose privacy and rights are addressed.
- Harmful Actors: Foreign or criminal groups using drones for illicit purposes, indirectly targeted through enhanced threat evaluation (though the bill focuses on assessment, not enforcement).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Emphasizes adequacy of current authorities, potentially paving the way for expanded powers (e.g., counter-drone measures) while requiring accountability for agency roles, aligning with existing frameworks like the National Security Act.
- Constitutional: Incorporates safeguards for privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (protected under the Fourth Amendment), ensuring assessments consider impacts on U.S. persons and avoiding overreach in border surveillance.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan oversight through broad congressional involvement, introduced by Senators Lankford and Kelly; findings could influence future funding, legislation, or border security debates, highlighting vulnerabilities in an era of increasing drone use without immediate partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-05-22: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Border Drone Threat Assessment Act — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (8 pages)