Drone Espionage Act
U.S. Congress · S1809 ·
Progression
Timing in context
Primary sponsor's contributions received (same period)
Adjacency in time is shown for context; it is not evidence of cause. Funded ≠ false — see the methodology.
What the bill says
Introduced 2025-05-20. Latest action: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.
Summary (plain-language)
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.
Sponsors
- Ashley Moody (primary)
- Marsha Blackburn
- Ted Budd
- Katie Boyd Britt
- Tom Cotton
- Ted Cruz
- Mike Lee
- Markwayne Mullin
- Bernie Moreno
- David McCormick
- Elissa Slotkin
- Tommy Tuberville
- Thom Tillis
- Roger F. Wicker
Text versions
What analysts say
CBO cost estimates
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S. 1809, Drone Espionage Act
— 2026-04-13
As reported by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on February 9, 2026
Full estimate published at cbo.gov; it will appear here once an archived or committee-report copy is available.
What politicians say
No linked claims or utterances yet — no one on record has cited this measure to justify a public argument.
Action History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 2026-02-09 | Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report. |
| 2026-02-09 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316. |
| 2026-02-05 | Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. |
| 2025-06-10 | Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held. |
| 2025-05-20 | Introduced in Senate |
| 2025-05-20 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. |