Grant the U.S. Capitol Police explicit authority to intercept drones that pose a risk to Capitol facilities.

My bill would grant the USCP the ability to take decisive action to protect Members of Congress, staff, and constituents on Capitol Hill.

Crane promoted legislation that would authorize U.S. Capitol Police to intercept risky drones near the Capitol complex.

Rep. Crane’s Bill Expanding Capitol Police Drone Authority Advances Through Committee – Eli Crane
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.5

The SAFER SKIES Act amended 6 U.S.C. 124n to authorize DHS/DOJ and trained state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement or correctional agencies to take counter-drone actions. It does not explicitly grant that authority to the U.S. Capitol Police.

Congress enacted a broad counter-UAS expansion, but the explicit authority granted in the text runs to DHS/DOJ and non-federal law enforcement categories, not USCP by name.

partial later_term

Public Law 119-60, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, Title LXXXVI SAFER SKIES Act
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 88%

Current law authorizes DHS/DOJ, and trained state/local/Tribal/territorial law enforcement, to detect, intercept communications with, disrupt control of, seize, or use reasonable force against threatening drones. The listed authorities do not expressly include U.S. Capitol Police.

The counter-drone statute now covers the kinds of drone interception/mitigation actions in the promise, but not through an explicit USCP grant.

partial later_term

6 U.S. Code § 124n - Protection of certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 86%

The House passed S. 1071 by 312-112 on December 10, 2025; the roll call lists Representative Crane, Republican of Arizona, voting Nay.

Crane voted against the final House passage vehicle that became Public Law 119-60 and included the SAFER SKIES counter-drone provisions, so this is not evidence of concrete effort by him to deliver the promise.

never later_term

Office of the Clerk, U.S. House Roll Call 320 on S. 1071
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 90%

Congress.gov records S. 1071 becoming Public Law No. 119-60 on December 18, 2025, after House passage by 312-112 and Senate agreement to the House amendment by 77-20.

The enacted NDAA confirms the counter-UAS expansion became law, but it does not by itself show a completed USCP-specific authorization.

partial later_term

Congress.gov - S.1071, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 87%

USCP is authorized to protect Members and officers of Congress and their families, make arrests during protective duties, and use Capitol Police equipment and property. The provision does not expressly authorize intercepting or disabling drones.

Core USCP protective authority remains general and does not supply the explicit drone-interception language promised.

unresolved unknown

2 U.S. Code § 1966 - Protection of Members of Congress, officers of Congress, and members of their families
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 84%

The Wall Street Journal reported a dispute over whether U.S. Capitol Police can take out drones: USCP believed it could, while FAA and other federal agencies disagreed.

Strong reporting identified the precise gap the promise addresses: USCP lacked uncontested, explicit counter-drone authority despite asserting protective power.

unresolved same_term

As Mystery Drones Fill Skies, Police and Businesses Want Authority to Take Them Down
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 78%