Legislative Proposal
A new bill, proposed by Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Don Davis, D-N.C., aims to amend the Espionage Act of 1917 to include “video” as a criminal act that could result in imprisonment.
- The Espionage Act currently prohibits photography of sensitive military sites, but does not explicitly mention videography.
- The proposed bill seeks to close this loophole, ensuring that taking video of a military site without authorization is treated as a crime.
Background
The use of drones by adversaries, such as China, has increased in recent years, with many attempting to obtain unauthorized access to aerial footage of defense sites. This has raised concerns about foreign surveillance and the potential for espionage.
“As a Navy veteran who represents one of the most military-heavy districts in the country, I know how critical it is to safeguard our national defense infrastructure and protect sensitive national security information,”
said Rep. Kiggans. The lawmakers are concerned that if left unaddressed, these attempts to gather unauthorized access to military sites could have serious consequences for national security.
Rationale
The proposed bill would hold bad actors accountable, impose serious repercussions, and protect national security.
- The bill would make it a crime to take video of a military site without authorization, punishable by a fine, 10 years of imprisonment, or both.
- Lawmakers argue that this is necessary to address the growing use of drones by adversaries and to ensure that national security is protected.
Example of a Past Incident
Last year, Rep. Kiggans was among lawmakers who raised alarm over a spate of mysterious drone sightings in Virginia’s Hampton Roads area, which is home to 18 military installations and 120,000 active-duty, Reserve, and civilian personnel.
| East Coast Drone Sightings | Location | Date |
| New Jersey | Along the East Coast | Recently |
The White House has repeatedly denied any malicious activity, stating that some drones were authorized for research purposes, while others were a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones.
Concerns About Foreign Surveillance
Lawmakers continue to remain concerned about foreign surveillance, particularly in light of a recent incident involving a Chinese citizen.
A Chinese citizen living in California was sentenced to four months in prison for flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base and taking aerial photos of the installation.
This incident highlights the need for a common-sense approach to protect military installations and safeguard classified information.
Key Provisions
The proposed bill includes several key provisions, including:
- Make it a crime to take video of a military site without authorization, punishable by a fine, 10 years of imprisonment, or both.
- Improve surveillance and monitoring of drone activity near military installations.
- Enhance penalties for those found guilty of violating the national defense airspace.
Conclusion
The proposed bill aims to address the growing concern of foreign surveillance and protect national defense sites from unauthorized drone surveillance. By making it a crime to take video of a military site without authorization, lawmakers hope to safeguard classified information and protect national security.
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