Bill would add video to law banning capture of defense sites
Placed on the calendarS. 1809Latest action
Sponsor: Ashley Moody · Senator · FL
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Drone Espionage Act
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Drone Espionage Act adds "video" to a federal spying law covering photos of military and defense sites.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 1809, the Drone Espionage Act, amends Section 793 of Title 18 of the to add "video" to the list of materials, like photographs, that are illegal to capture or share of protected defense sites without authorization. This closes a gap that older law may not have clearly addressed for drone-captured footage.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects drone operators, journalists, researchers, and foreign agents who might record video near military installations, defense contractors, or other government security sites.
Why does it matter?
The change extends existing criminal penalties for unauthorized photos to video footage, meaning people recording protected defense sites by video could now face the same prosecution as those taking photos.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 20, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate voteYou are here · Feb 9, 2026
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.