WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced an amendment as part of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that passed the House Floor today.
This amendment directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General (IG) to investigate all actions taken by the FAA that might affect U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to operate at the border. This includes conducting counter-uas (drone) operations and reporting any findings to Congress.
“In the last two years, there has been a level of trepidation amongst frontline law enforcement regarding using offensive tactics to take down enemy drones,” said Congressman Higgins. “Currently, at our southern border, cartels use drones as scouts. If a cartel drone is captured, there is a wealth of Intel in that drone. This amendment calls for an Inspector General’s investigation to determine exactly why our frontline border agents have been commanded to stop using the offensive capabilities of our anti-drone tech. Ultimately, I seek to give CBP the clearance to operate more aggressively against cartel drones.”
Read the amendment here.
Watch Congressman Higgins introduce the amendment to the Rules Committee here.
