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Drone Espionage Act
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking or transmitting video of defense information, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- Committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became law
Summary
Drone Espionage Act
This bill makes it a federal crime under the Espionage Act to engage in certain activities related to obtaining, receiving, or transmitting video of national defense information. The term national defense information means information or other material that is related to national defense.
The Espionage Act prohibits certain activities related to obtaining, receiving, or transmitting national defense information that could harm the United States or aid a foreign nation. Under current law, the prohibitions only apply if national defense information is obtained, received, or transmitted by certain means, such as a sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, instrument, appliance, document, writing, or note. Under current law, a violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.
This bill makes the criminal prohibitions under the Espionage Act applicable if national defense information is obtained, received, or transmitted by means of video. Under this bill, a violator is subject to the same penalties as under existing law—a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Actions
- Feb 9, 2026 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.
- Feb 9, 2026 Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.
- Feb 5, 2026 Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Jun 10, 2025 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held.
- May 20, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- May 20, 2025 Introduced in Senate
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