Department of Energy Drone Defense Act

Susie Lee

Democrat · NV · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann (R-TN-3)Original· 2026-05-20
• Donald G. Davis (D-NC-1)Original· 2026-05-20
• Mark Alford (R-MO-4)Original· 2026-05-20
• Nick LaLota (R-NY-1)Original· 2026-05-20
• Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13)Original· 2026-05-20
• Seth Moulton (D-MA-6)Original· 2026-05-20

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

2026-05-20

Source: Congress.gov

The Department of Energy would be allowed to operate unmanned aircraft (drones) without following certain federal restrictions that normally apply to drone use. This exemption would give the agency more flexibility to use drones for its operations and research activities. The bill is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8935 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8935 To exempt the Secretary of Energy of certain prohibitions with respect to an unmanned aircraft system, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 20, 2026 Ms. Lee of Nevada (for herself, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. LaLota, Mr. Jackson of Texas, and Mr. Alford) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To exempt the Secretary of Energy of certain prohibitions with respect to an unmanned aircraft system, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Energy Drone Defense Act''. SEC. 2. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF ENERGY WITH RESPECT TO COVERED UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FROM COVERED FOREIGN ENTITIES. (a) Exemption From Prohibition on Procurement of Covered Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities.--Section 1823(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 692) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``Secretary of Energy,'' after ``Secretary of State,''. (b) Exemption From Prohibition on Operation of Covered Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities.--Section 1824(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 693) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``Secretary of Energy,'' after ``Secretary of State,''. (c) Exemption From Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds for Procurement and Operation of Covered Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities.--Section 1825(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 694) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``Secretary of Energy,'' after ``Secretary of State,''. (d) Granting Secretary of Energy Accounting Exception.--Section 1827(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 696) is amended by inserting ``Department of Energy,'' after ``Department of Transportation,''. <all>

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