Bill · H.R. 3207· House(119-HR-3207)
DEFENSE Act
- Introduced
- 5/6/2025
- Last activity
- 5/6/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Sponsored by
- W. Steube
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 4
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment Act" or the "DEFENSE Act," proposes changes to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It seeks to allow the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize State or local law enforcement officers. This deputization is intended to protect specific events that have temporary flight restrictions or large public gatherings. The bill includes requirements for specific training for these officers. It also establishes oversight and limits the types of equipment that can be used for detecting or tracking unmanned aircraft systems.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill expands federal authority by allowing the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize state and local officers.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?+3
The bill expands the authority of law enforcement to use technology for tracking unmanned aircraft at public gatherings.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+2
Increased security presence may benefit those attending large public gatherings in urban areas.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-2
The bill allows federal officials to deputize local officers, which can override local law enforcement autonomy.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2
The expanded surveillance capabilities for tracking unmanned aircraft could impact privacy at public gatherings.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced Security for Public Events: The bill allows for the deputization of State or local law enforcement to protect sites with flight restrictions, eligible large public gatherings, or other gatherings protected by temporary flight restrictions (Section 2, subsection (m)(1)).
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Standardized Training: Law enforcement officers must complete specific training as specified by the Secretary or Attorney General before being deputized (Section 2, subsection (m)(2)).
-
Regulated Technology Use: The use of equipment for detecting, identifying, or tracking unmanned aircraft is limited to a specific list of authorized technologies maintained by the Department (Section 2, subsection (m)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Oversight Requirements: The Secretary or Attorney General must coordinate with the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to exercise oversight of deputized officers (Section 2, subsection (m)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Privacy Rights-2Increase States Rights-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+1
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/6/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
J. CorreaDemocrat · California
Elijah CraneRepublican · Arizona
Abraham HamadehRepublican · Arizona
Nicholas LangworthyRepublican · New York
Cory MillsRepublican · Florida
Richard McCormickRepublican · Georgia
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Rudy YakymRepublican · Indiana