[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 51 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E433-E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORT OF THE ``HOMELAND SECURITY DRONE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 2015

  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
the ``Homeland Security Drone Assessment and Analysis Act.''
  On January 27th, a small drone landed on the grounds of the White 
House.
  Thankfully, this incident did not threaten the President or his 
family, as it was nothing more than an ill-advised misadventure by a 
hobbyist.
  It did, however, raise serious questions about the threat 
commercially available drones may pose to individuals, infrastructure, 
and our aviation system.
  Recently, drones were observed flying over sensitive assets in 
France, including nuclear installations, the home of the French 
President, and near the United States Embassy. These drone activities 
have raised concerns about the security implications of the commercial 
availability of small and medium sized drones.
  Undoubtedly, drones have great commercial potential and their utility 
will aid our agricultural sector and others in the decades to come.
  Even as drones have the potential for so much good in the hands of a 
farmer, there is

[[Page E434]]

the risk that they will be used for ill in the hands of someone who 
intends harm.
  Last week, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, 
of which I am the Ranking Minority Member, of the House Committee on 
Homeland Security, held a hearing regarding the potential security 
threats posed by small and medium sized commercially available drones.
  During the hearing, we heard from experts in the field regarding the 
need for DHS to act as the Federal lead in researching the issue of 
security vulnerabilities posed by small and medium sized drones.
  The witnesses described the need for DHS to develop security policies 
and for DHS to disseminate information to State, local, and tribal law 
enforcement officials regarding how such officials may bolster 
preparedness for and responses to attacks perpetrated by commercially 
available small and medium sized drones.
  I authored the ``Homeland Security Drone Assessment and Analysis 
Act'' to address the issues raised before the Subcommittee last week 
and to ensure DHS serves as the lead Federal department responsible for 
the security issues raised by small and medium sized drones.
  The bill also requires DHS to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment 
regarding small and medium sized drones so that the policies the 
Department and its components develop are based on sound analysis and 
the probable rather than the possible.
  Finally, my bill will address the concerns we heard from the 
President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police 
regarding a lack of information being disseminated regarding how State, 
local, and tribal law enforcement agencies should respond to potential 
threats posed by drones.
  It does so by mandating that the Secretary of Homeland Security 
provide information to State, local, and tribal law enforcement 
entities regarding how to prepare for and respond to potential threats 
posed by drones.
  I urge my colleagues to support the ``Homeland Security Drone 
Assessment and Analysis Act''.

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