USCP Empowerment Act of 2025

Enhanced Security of Facilities and People: The Capitol Police Board and its personnel are authorized to take necessary actions to mitigate credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems to the safety or security of covered facilities or assets (Section 2(a)).

Ability to Disrupt Threats: The bill allows for the disruption of control of an unmanned aircraft system, which includes disabling the system by interfering with communications used to control it (Section 2(b)(1)(C)).

Protection of Assets: The authority allows personnel to seize or confiscate unmanned aircraft systems (Section 2(b)(1)(D)-(E)).

Privacy Protections: The act mandates that regulations and guidance ensure the interception or acquisition of communications is conducted in a manner consistent with the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States (Section 2(e)(1)).

Data Limitation: The bill requires that records of communications be maintained only for as long as necessary, and no longer than 180 days, unless specific legal or investigative exceptions apply (Section 2(e)(3)).

Use of Force: The bill authorizes the use of reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy an unmanned aircraft system (Section 2(b)(1)(F)).

Interception of Communications: Personnel are authorized to detect, monitor, and track unmanned aircraft systems without prior consent, which can include intercepting wire, oral, or electronic communications used to control the system (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).

Disruption of Control: The bill allows for the disruption of control of an unmanned aircraft system by interfering with the communications used to control it, without prior consent (Section 2(b)(1)(C)).

Potential for Property Harm or Loss: While not a direct provision, the reporting requirements acknowledge that actions taken under this section may result in harm, damage, or loss to a person or to private property (Section 2(f)(2)(B)).