Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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
The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act seeks to grant authority to private owners and operators of critical infrastructure to use counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies. This authority allows them to detect, track, and mitigate credible threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems to their facilities. To use these powers, personnel must undergo specific training and certification coordinated by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The bill also establishes a grant program to help these owners purchase and operate approved technologies. This legislation aims to close a security gap currently faced by the North American electric grid and other vital sectors. The specific authority granted under this act is set to terminate on September 30, 2031.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill grants legal immunity and provides grants to assist business owners in securing their facilities.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill provides financial assistance through a grant program for critical infrastructure owners to upgrade their security technologies.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill enhances the physical security of critical infrastructure against unmanned aircraft threats.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Security for Critical Infrastructure: The bill provides owners and operators of high-risk sites, such as nuclear generating stations and key substations, the authority to mitigate credible threats from unmanned aircraft systems (Section 2, Section 3).
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Financial Assistance for Security Upgrades: A grant program is established, with $250,000,000 authorized through fiscal years 2027 through 2031, to help owners purchase, install, and operate approved counter-unmanned aircraft systems (Section 4).
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Legal Protections for Security Personnel: Actions taken to mitigate threats are deemed Federal actions, protecting owners, operators, and authorized personnel from civil or criminal claims, provided there is no gross negligence or willful misconduct (Section 5).
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Standardized Training and Safety: The bill requires a national certification program that includes standards for legal, operational, and technical proficiency, as well as mandatory coordination protocols with the Federal Aviation Administration (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential for Legal Exceptions: While there is significant liability protection, owners and personnel can still be held liable in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct (Section 5).
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Risk to National Airspace: The bill acknowledges the need for mandatory coordination protocols with the Federal Aviation Administration to protect the national airspace system during these mitigation activities (Section 3).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill grants legal immunity and provides grants to assist business owners in securing their facilities. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill helps secure critical infrastructure like power grids which are essential for urban stability.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides financial assistance through a grant program for critical infrastructure owners to upgrade their security technologies.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill enhances the physical security of critical infrastructure against unmanned aircraft threats.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill protects the reliability of the bulk power system and key electrical infrastructure components.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to submit unclassified and classified reports to congressional committees regarding the use of these authorities.
- 4/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.