Elijah Crane (R-AZ)
USCP Empowerment Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The USCP Empowerment Act of 2025 authorizes the United States Capitol Police to take action against threats from unmanned aircraft systems. This authority allows the Capitol Police Board to mitigate credible threats to the safety or security of covered Capitol Police facilities or assets. Personnel may detect, track, warn, disrupt, seize, or destroy these aircraft systems. The bill requires coordination with the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. It also establishes privacy protections and mandates regular reports to Congress.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +4
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
Expands the authority to monitor and intercept communications related to drones near the Capitol.
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
Grants additional enforcement powers to federal Capitol Police over aircraft and communications.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
Increases the ability to detect and disrupt electronic drone control signals.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
Allows for the interception of communications and seizure of property without prior consent.
- Scored -3
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
Authorizes interception of electronic communications and drone tracking without prior consent.
- Scored -2
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Allows for seizure and forfeiture of drone assets.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Security of Facilities and People: The Capitol Police Board and its personnel are authorized to take necessary actions to mitigate credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems to the safety or security of covered facilities or assets (Section 2(a)).
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Ability to Disrupt Threats: The bill allows for the disruption of control of an unmanned aircraft system, which includes disabling the system by interfering with communications used to control it (Section 2(b)(1)(C)).
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Protection of Assets: The authority allows personnel to seize or confiscate unmanned aircraft systems (Section 2(b)(1)(D)-(E)).
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Privacy Protections: The act mandates that regulations and guidance ensure the interception or acquisition of communications is conducted in a manner consistent with the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States (Section 2(e)(1)).
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Data Limitation: The bill requires that records of communications be maintained only for as long as necessary, and no longer than 180 days, unless specific legal or investigative exceptions apply (Section 2(e)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Use of Force: The bill authorizes the use of reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy an unmanned aircraft system (Section 2(b)(1)(F)).
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Interception of Communications: Personnel are authorized to detect, monitor, and track unmanned aircraft systems without prior consent, which can include intercepting wire, oral, or electronic communications used to control the system (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Disruption of Control: The bill allows for the disruption of control of an unmanned aircraft system by interfering with the communications used to control it, without prior consent (Section 2(b)(1)(C)).
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Potential for Property Harm or Loss: While not a direct provision, the reporting requirements acknowledge that actions taken under this section may result in harm, damage, or loss to a person or to private property (Section 2(f)(2)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — Expands the authority to monitor and intercept communications related to drones near the Capitol. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Increases the ability to detect and disrupt electronic drone control signals.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Authorizes interception of electronic communications and drone tracking without prior consent.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants additional enforcement powers to federal Capitol Police over aircraft and communications. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires reporting to Congress every six months regarding the use of these authorities. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Allows for the interception of communications and seizure of property without prior consent. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Allows for seizure and forfeiture of drone assets.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2/2/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 10/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2025
- Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Abraham HamadehRepublican · Arizona
Michael McCaulRepublican · Texas
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Scott PerryRepublican · Pennsylvania