Bill Allowing DOJ, DHS Rapid Response to Drones Gets House OK

House-passed legislation allows DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security to protect their facilities against security risks of drones and other unmanned aircraft, said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas. The bill was passed Wednesday with the five-year reauthorization of the FAA. The Preventing Emerging Threats Act allows DOJ and DHS to “react, in real-time, to stop acts of terror and threats of violence,” McCaul said and to provide clear public disclosure about no-fly areas. The bill includes one important clarification that “will protect the safety of low-flying aviation without imposing burdensome regulations that would have impeded the deployment of next-generation 5G wireless services,” said Wireless Infrastructure Association Legislative Affairs Head Matt Mandel.