May 20, 2026
Ms. Lee of Nevada (for herself, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. LaLota, Mr. Jackson of Texas, and Mr. Alford) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
To exempt the Secretary of Energy of certain prohibitions with respect to an unmanned aircraft system, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Department of Energy Drone Defense Act
.
Sec. 2. Authority of Secretary of Energy with respect to covered unmanned aircraft systems from covered foreign entities
(a) Exemption from prohibition on procurement of covered unmanned aircraft systems from covered foreign entities
Section 1823(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 692) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting Secretary of Energy,
after Secretary of State,
.
(b) Exemption from prohibition on operation of covered unmanned aircraft systems from covered foreign entities
Section 1824(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 693) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting Secretary of Energy,
after Secretary of State,
.
(c) Exemption from prohibition on use of Federal funds for procurement and operation of covered unmanned aircraft systems from covered foreign entities
Section 1825(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 694) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting Secretary of Energy,
after Secretary of State,
.
(d) Granting Secretary of Energy accounting exception
Section 1827(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (Public Law 118–31; 137 Stat. 696) is amended by inserting Department of Energy,
after Department of Transportation,
.