WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and 30 other colleagues in introducing the Comprehensive Operations for Unmanned-System Neutralization and Threat Elimination Response (COUNTER) Act, legislation that will help enhance airspace security at military installations to better protect our servicemembers, their families, and critical military equipment and infrastructure. This legislation expands the definition of a “covered facility” as it is in current law, enabling more bases to apply for approval to detect, track, and if necessary, neutralize drones.
In addition to Senators Hirono, Cotton, and Gillibrand, this legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Rick Scott (R-FL), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Todd Young (R-IN).
In the House, companion legislation was introduced by Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and August Pfluger (R-TX).
The full text of the legislation is available here.
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