Bill Summary
The "Drone Espionage Act" is a bill that aims to amend a section of the United States Code to make it illegal to take or transmit video of defense information. This means that anyone who uses a drone or other device to capture video of sensitive military or defense-related information can be prosecuted. The bill also gives the act a short title and specifies the specific section that will be amended. This act is intended to protect national security by preventing the unauthorized recording and sharing of defense information.
Possible Impacts
1. Prohibiting the taking or transmitting of video of defense information could affect journalists or media outlets who often rely on such footage to report on national security and military operations.
2. The amendment to section 793 of title 18 could impact the work of whistleblowers or government employees who may need to document or share classified information for the public good.
3. The "Drone Espionage Act" could also have an impact on the use of drones for personal or recreational purposes, as individuals may unknowingly capture defense information through their drone's video footage. This could result in legal consequences for those who violate the Act.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1809 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1809
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking or
transmitting video of defense information, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 20, 2025
Mrs. Moody (for herself, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Lee, Mr. Budd, Mr. Moreno, and
Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking or
transmitting video of defense information, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Drone Espionage Act''.
SEC. 2. TAKING OR TRANSMITTING VIDEO OF DEFENSE INFORMATION PROHIBITED.
Section 793 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``video,'' after ``photographic negative,'' each place such
term appears.
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