Rep. Van Epps Proposes $250 Million Plan to Let Power Plants Use Drone-Defense Tools
The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act is in the early stages of the legislative process. Since June 8, 2026, the bill has been assigned to three House committees for review. No further action has taken place, and it is common for bills to remain in committee without moving forward.
While drone threats are a major concern, giving private companies the power to interfere with aircraft is a big legal change that usually faces heavy pushback in Congress.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Private owners and operators of critical infrastructure facilities gain new legal authority to defend their sites against drone threats, along with access to $250 million in federal grants to purchase and install approved counter-drone systems. This fills a gap where private operators previously had no clear legal standing to act against threatening drones, even at high-risk sites like nuclear plants and power substations.
“any owner or operator of a covered critical infrastructure facility (or designated security personnel or contractors of such owner or operator) may, subject to subsection (d)(3), take, and authorize personnel to take, such actions as are described in subsection (b)(1) that are necessary to mitigate a credible threat”
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Sen. Tom Cotton is pushing new legislation to grant operators of the nation's most sensitive infrastructure the authority to defend against and stop potentially hostile drones in real time, arguing that current law leaves our power grid and wastewater plants exposed to emerging aerial threats.
Rep. Matt Van Epps unveiled a House version of the Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act, which aims to shield hospitals, power plants, and dams from potential drone attacks. The bill would make grants available to private companies to purchase government-approved anti-drone technologies.
The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act would give critical infrastructure sites the legal authority to take down unauthorized drones. It would also establish a $250 million grant program for facilities to purchase, install, and operate approved counter-drone technology.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act
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