By Matthew Holloway |
Rep. Eli Crane’s bill to expand the U.S. Capitol Police’s authority to respond to drone threats near the Capitol complex advanced through the House Administration Committee on Wednesday.
The U.S. Capitol Police Empowerment Act, sponsored by Crane (R-AZ-02), would authorize the Capitol Police Board and designated U.S. Capitol Police personnel to take action against unmanned aircraft systems that pose a credible threat to covered Capitol Police facilities or assets. The House Administration Committee unanimously advanced the measure during its June 24 markup.
Crane introduced the bill on May 13, 2025, with Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Barry Moore (R-AL), as original cosponsors. Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) later joined the measure as a cosponsor.
In a post to X, Crane wrote, “After meeting with the U.S. Capitol Police, I learned they lacked explicit authority to intercept drones on the complex.”
Under the bill text, the Capitol Police Board could authorize Capitol Police personnel assigned to protect people, facilities, or assets to mitigate a credible threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system. The bill would allow Capitol Police to detect, identify, monitor, and track a drone; warn its operator; disrupt control of the aircraft; seize or exercise control of it; confiscate it; or use reasonable force, if necessary, to disable, damage, or destroy it.
“The evolution of drone warfare has drastically changed both the battlefield and the threats to our national security,” Crane said. “My bill would grant the USCP the ability to take decisive action to protect Members of Congress, staff, and constituents on Capitol Hill.”
The legislation would require the Capitol Police Board to coordinate with the Secretary of Transportation and with the Federal Aviation Administration when an action could affect aviation safety, civilian aviation or aerospace operations, aircraft airworthiness, or the use of airspace.
The bill also includes privacy provisions. Regulations or guidance issued under the measure would have to ensure that interception or use of communications to or from a drone is conducted in a manner consistent with the First and Fourth Amendments and applicable federal law. The bill would limit the acquisition of communications to what is necessary to support authorized action and would generally bar retention of those records for more than 180 days unless one of several exceptions applies.
The measure would also require the chief of the Capitol Police, or another individual designated by the Capitol Police Board, to submit reports to Congress within six months of enactment and every six months thereafter. Those reports would have to cover actions taken under the authority, effects on the National Airspace System, privacy and civil liberties procedures, communications retained or shared outside Capitol Police, and any new technology or equipment deployed under the program.
The proposal comes as federal rules already restrict drone activity in Washington, D.C. The FAA says the National Capital Region is governed by a Special Flight Rules Area within a 30-mile radius of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, with unmanned aircraft flights prohibited inside the 15-mile inner ring without specific FAA authorization.
The U.S. Capitol Police also identifies Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Capitol Grounds as a “No Drone Zone.” Capitol Police regulations prohibit unmanned aircraft on Capitol Grounds, and violations can carry arrest, a $300 fine, 90 days imprisonment, and additional federal civil or criminal penalties.
Crane’s office said he drafted the bill with input from committees of jurisdiction, including House Administration, Transportation and Infrastructure, Judiciary, and Homeland Security. The bill was referred to the House Administration, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Judiciary committees after introduction.
Crane has also introduced the DEFEND Act, a separate piece of legislation aimed at broader civilian drone threats, and, alongside Rep. Ciscomani, targeted drone interference with wildfire response efforts with the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act of 2025.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
