Paul blocks bill to expand authority over drones; predicts state, local abuses of rights

An effort to push through new authority to detect and interdict drones was blocked in the Senate on Wednesday after Sen. Rand Paul said it was too soon to rush a solution that could end up trampling on Americans’ rights.

Top Democrats pushed the bill as a snap response to the drone sightings over New Jersey in recent weeks.

The Democrats said the federal government has the authority and capability to act but can’t be everywhere, while state and local governments are everywhere but lack the authority.

“The utter confusion surrounding these drone sightings shows that the feds can’t respond to it all on their own,” said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat and a top backer of the bill. “The most logical thing to do is say let the localities have the authority.”

Mr. Paul, Kentucky Republican, said the Biden administration insists the drones pose no threat while the president asks for more powers. He said that is inconsistent.

“Tell us what the problem is,” the senator said.

Mr. Paul said he is willing to work on legislation in Congress next year when Republicans lead committees, but he warned that the bill needs more safeguards.

He worried, in particular, about allowing authorities to collect the phone signals of people near airports during drone incidents.

“This is not just about security. It’s about unchecked government overreach. It’s about capitalizing on fear,” he said.

Mr. Schumer and Sen. Gary C. Peters, Michigan Democrat and chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, tried to pass the legislation by unanimous consent, which requires the agreement of all senators.

Mr. Paul objected, effectively blocking the bill.

A more drawn-out process could require votes to overcome a filibuster, but the Senate is expected to finish its work for the year by the end of this week.

Whether the Republican-controlled House is interested in Mr. Schumer’s bill is unclear.

The bill was supported by various interests, including the National Football League, which recorded 2,800 drone incursions in 2023. An incursion halted one of the league championship games this year.

“With the nation’s attention now focused on drones, we again call on Congress to protect critical infrastructure and mass gatherings such as major sporting events,” said Cathy Lanier, the NFL’s chief security officer.

The recent drone sightings have captivated much of the country, and the federal government’s response has aggravated many, including on Capitol Hill.

The government’s stance is that drones are a mixture of legitimate flights by hobbyists, commercial interests and law enforcement, and cases of mistaken identity involving planes, helicopters and stars.

Federal agencies have ruled out nefarious actors, including foreign governments.

Mr. Schumer said residents are uncertain.

“The people of New York and New Jersey understandably still have questions, and they deserve answers,” he said.

He said involvement by state and local authorities would be a way to get those answers.

“These are people we know and trust,” he said.

Mr. Paul saw the expansion of powers the other way. He said the lack of answers is a reason not to push into a new frontier of drone law.

All sides seemed to agree that the sightings in New Jersey, which began a month ago, have accelerated developments.

State officials said residents were reporting objects larger than what is available on the commercial drone market and that they seemed to be buzzing military bases and other sensitive areas.

Federal authorities first denied that the drones were flying over restricted airspace, but this week, they acknowledged “limited” encroachments.

“Nothing nefarious apparently, but they’re checking it all out,” President Biden said on Tuesday.

He said the issue seemed to snowball.

“There’s a lot of drones authorized up there. I think one started it, and they all — everybody wanted to get in the deal,” he said.

The explanations haven’t resolved concerns.

Rep. Christopher Smith, New Jersey Republican, revealed last week that personnel on a Coast Guard boat said they were trailed by more than a dozen drones that weaved course as they followed the vessel and flashed their lights at one point.

Mr. Smith said it was dismissive to say trained personnel were seeing airplanes.

“The Biden White House needs to stop changing their story and instead be honest and frank with the American people, who deserve the truth and absolute transparency. We tolerate no cover-ups here,” he said.