Susie Lee (D-NV)· Introduced May 20, 2026

Department of Energy Drone Defense Act

H.R. 8935 · House bill Government Operations and Politics

A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors

Last activity May 20, 2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

In committee

Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.

The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.

Its path through Congress

Introduced
In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill, known as the Department of Energy Drone Defense Act, aims to grant the Secretary of Energy specific exemptions regarding unmanned aircraft systems. It proposes changes to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. These changes specifically exempt the Secretary of Energy from certain prohibitions related to covered foreign entities. This includes exemptions for the procurement and operation of covered unmanned aircraft systems. Additionally, the bill adjusts how the Department of Energy is treated in relation to certain accounting exceptions.

Yes· 3 of 4

Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands the specific authorities and exemptions granted to the Secretary of Energy.
Scored +2
Is this likely to grow the economy?
The bill provides the Secretary of Energy more flexibility in procurement and operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
Scored +2
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill grants the Secretary of Energy authority to procure and operate specific unmanned aircraft systems to support agency functions.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.

Who it would affect, and how

Potential Positive Impacts for People

Exemption from procurement prohibitions: The bill amends Section 1823(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 to allow the Secretary of Energy to procure certain unmanned aircraft systems from covered foreign entities. This could allow the Department of Energy more flexibility in acquiring technology.
Exemption from operation prohibitions: Under Section 1824(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, the Secretary of Energy would be exempt from prohibitions on operating covered unmanned aircraft systems from covered foreign entities.
Flexibility with federal funds: The bill amends Section 1825(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which would allow the Secretary of Energy to use federal funds for the procurement and operation of these specific aircraft systems.
Accounting exception adjustments: By amending Section 1827(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, the bill inserts the Department of Energy'' after the Department of Transportation'' regarding specific accounting exceptions.

Potential Negative Impacts for People

No specific negative impacts are detailed in the text: The provided text contains the legal language for the exemptions and amendments but does not explicitly state any negative consequences or burdens that would result from these changes.

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.

Governance And Ideology: Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the specific authorities and exemptions granted to the Secretary of Energy. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill updates legal authorities for the Department of Energy regarding federal funds and aircraft operation.
Economy And Finance: Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill provides the Secretary of Energy more flexibility in procurement and operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
National Security And Foreign Policy: Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill grants the Secretary of Energy authority to procure and operate specific unmanned aircraft systems to support agency functions.