What's New
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was blocked on Wednesday from quickly pushing through a bill addressing mysterious drone sightings.
Why It Matters
Hundreds of drones have been reported spotted in northeastern states such as New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, raising concerns about security threats and speculation of foreign involvement.
In response to the rise in drone sightings, lawmakers have called on federal agencies to investigate the issue further. The sightings, which have sparked unease in affected communities, have not been linked to foreign interference or immediate public safety threats, according to national security officials.
The proposed bill, co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, would grant federal agencies enhanced authority to address drone activity and launch a pilot program allowing state and local authorities to disable or seize drones under certain conditions.
What Have Federal Officials Said
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint statement saying there is no evidence the recent drone sightings in New Jersey "pose a national safety threat or have a foreign nexus."
The Pentagon has also stated the Federal Aviation Administration reports there are one million drones registered with the FAA, and that more than 8,000 drones are lawfully flown in the U.S. every single day.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also confirmed they are still investigating.
"There's no question that people are seeing drones," Mayorkas told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. "But I want to assure the American public that we are on it. We are working in close coordination with state and local authorities."
What To Know
Schumer, a Democrat from New York, sought unanimous consent to expedite the bill, emphasizing the growing frustration among residents of New Jersey, New York and other eastern states baffled by the persistent drone activity.
However, the legislation, aimed at empowering local law enforcement to track and potentially neutralize unidentified drones, was opposed by Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, citing concerns over privacy.
What People Are Saying
Schumer said, "The people in New York and New Jersey have a lot of questions, and they're not getting good enough answers. The utter confusion surrounding these drone sightings shows that the feds can't respond all on their own."
Senator Gary Peters highlighted the urgency of equipping law enforcement with tools to identify and respond to drone sightings.
"This bill would ensure that law enforcement has the technology needed to quickly and clearly identify exactly what the reported sightings of drones across the country actually are," Peters said.
Senator Rand Paul said the bill would "expand federal authority to intercept communications and disrupt drone activity—powers that raise serious concerns for Americans' privacy, civil liberties, and Fourth Amendment protections against unwarranted search and seizure."
What's Next
The drone sightings have also drawn commentary from President-elect Donald Trump and other political figures.
Schumer has called on the Department of Homeland Security to deploy more advanced tracking technology to address the issue, but for now, legislative action on the matter is stalled, leaving residents and lawmakers with more questions.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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