US Authority to Intercept Dangerous Drones to Be Extended (1)

The spending deal released early Tuesday would extend the federal authority to take down dangerous drones, but sidesteps the White House’s request to expand that authority.

The federal government’s counter-drone authority was set to expire this year; the omnibus government spending deal (H.R. 2617) would stretch it to the end of fiscal 2023. The short-term extension sets up another round of legislative wrangling over federal counter-drone authorities during the next Congress.

The Biden administration had requested expanding the authority to additional federal agencies and some local law enforcement partners, which the legislation doesn’t do. Officials warned about increasing ...