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Congress·In Committee·2 months ago

Congress Would Require Homeland Security to Publish Annual Drone Terror Threat Assessments, With Public Annex

Also known as: DEFEND Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(4)
Military Active
Neutral
Tribal Member
Neutral
Gig Worker
Neutral
Farmer Rancher
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Small Business Owner
Helps

Key Points

  • Requires the Homeland Security Department to send Congress a yearly report for 6 years on terrorism threats involving drones tied to foreign adversaries.
  • The reports must cover how drones could be used to spy, attack people, or damage critical infrastructure, and how tactics from overseas conflicts could show up in the U.S.
  • Looks at how drones and parts could be bought, built, smuggled, or hidden in shipping and travel routes that also touch U.S. ports, airports, and land borders.
  • Directs Homeland Security to create training and exercises so federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement can spot and respond to dangerous drone use.
  • Most of each report would be classified, but Homeland Security must publish a public, unclassified section online, and give Congress a classified briefing within 7 days.
National SecurityTechnologyArtificial IntelligenceCybersecurityImmigration

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 18, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Dec 18, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Immediately after the bill becomes law

DHS starts work to gather information and consult with Defense Department and intelligence agencies for the first annual drone-terrorism threat assessment.

This is the ramp-up period that can shape what threats DHS highlights and what preparedness steps get recommended to police and critical sites.

Within 270 days after enactment

First DHS assessment is due to Congress within 270 days after enactment, with a public unclassified annex posted online.

People may be able to read a public summary of key drone threats and recommended defenses; agencies may start updating plans based on it.

Within 7 days after each assessment

DHS gives Congress a classified briefing within 7 days after each assessment is submitted.

Behind-the-scenes details could speed up decisions about funding and security priorities, even if the public only sees the unclassified annex.

After the first assessment work is underway

DHS develops and shares recommended training modules and exercises for Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement.

Police and emergency managers could begin new drone-incident training and drills, affecting security planning for events and critical sites.

Yearly for six years after enactment

Annual assessments continue each year for six years after the first report cycle begins.

Threat information and best practices get refreshed, which can steadily increase preparedness and influence equipment buying decisions.

Related News

7 articles
House Committee on Homeland Security (news release page)·2 months ago

Rep. Crane Leads Legislation Addressing Drone Threats Informed by Overseas Conflicts

Announcement of the DEFEND Act describing DHS recurring UAS-specific terrorism threat assessments, foreign adversary exploitation, and preparedness coordination.

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Office of Rep. Eli Crane (news release page)·2 months ago

Rep. Crane Introduces Bill to Strengthen Congressional Oversight of Drone Threats

Primary introduction announcement for the DEFEND Act: annual DHS terrorism threat assessments on malicious UAS use, with classified reporting and an unclassified annex.

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LegiStorm·2 months ago

Rep. Crane Introduces Bill to Strengthen Congressional Oversight of Drone Threats (press release repost)

Repost of Rep. Crane’s DEFEND Act press release detailing annual DHS assessments, classified report plus unclassified annex, and briefings to Congress.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

DEFEND Act

Bill NumberHR 6846
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(5)
R: 5

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.