U.S. Governors Request Federal Assistance to Counter Drones
- Preston Grimes
- Sep 11
- 1 min read
Jack Daleo | September 12, 2025
Letter urges the expansion of mitigation authority to state and local law enforcement.
A group of more than 30 U.S. state and territorial governors is calling on Congress to enact stronger counter uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) measures amid a spate of drone sightings reported near airports, public events, and military installations.
There are more than 1 million drones registered with the FAA, a number that has spiked in recent years. Under an interagency agreement that lays out federal C-UAS authority, only the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ) can mitigate unauthorized drones, and only in certain cases.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the governors shared their “urgent concern” with drone threats to critical infrastructure and public safety under existing C-UAS rules. They called on Congress to enact legislation that would give states the same drone detection and mitigation authority as the federal government and improve communication between agencies.
Source: Flying