H.R.2775 - Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2775, the Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act, directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess the potential of drone deployment for improving border security and disrupting drug smuggling along the U.S. coastline. The assessment must be submitted to the House and Senate Homeland Security committees within 180 days of the Act's enactment. It focuses on major trafficking corridors and remote communities.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect will be the initiation of an assessment by the Department of Homeland Security regarding the use of drones. This assessment will analyze the effectiveness, risks, and potential of drone deployment. The long-term effect depends on the assessment's findings and subsequent actions taken by Congress and the Department of Homeland Security.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced border security through improved surveillance capabilities.
- Disruption of maritime and low-altitude drug smuggling operations.
- More effective monitoring of remote and hard-to-reach coastal areas.
- Potential for quicker response times to security threats.
- Improved data collection and analysis for border security strategies.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential privacy concerns related to increased surveillance.
- Risk of mission creep, where drones are used for purposes beyond the scope of the Act.
- Financial costs associated with drone deployment and maintenance.
- Possible negative impact on public perception due to increased drone activity.
- Concerns about the potential for misuse of drone technology.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is primarily related to Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and regulate commerce with foreign nations. The assessment of drone deployment for border security falls under the umbrella of national defense and regulating international commerce by disrupting drug smuggling. However, the implementation of drone surveillance must also be balanced against the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the First Amendment regarding freedom of assembly and expression if surveillance is used to monitor protests.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).