US military would be unleashed on enemy drones on the homeland if bipartisan bill passes

Fox News - May 15th, 2025
Open on Fox News

In late 2023, a series of mysterious drone incursions over Langley Air Force Base exposed a critical oversight: military officials lacked the authority to engage these unmanned vehicles over U.S. soil. This incident prompted bipartisan legislative action through the COUNTER Act, led by Senators Tom Cotton and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representatives August Pfluger and Chrissy Houlahan. The bill aims to expand the definition of 'covered facilities' to include all military bases with defined perimeters, granting them the authority to shoot down drones. It also proposes delegating engagement authority to combatant commanders, thus streamlining decision-making in emergencies.

The significance of this legislative effort is underscored by the growing threat posed by unauthorized drones, which have been detected over 350 times at different military installations. As commercial drones become more ubiquitous, concerns about their potential use for surveillance or attacks on sensitive military sites are rising. The legislation seeks to amend Section 130i of Title 10 to fortify national security by allowing the military to preemptively address drone threats. Such measures are crucial as the existing framework leaves installations vulnerable, hampering the military's ability to protect its personnel and assets effectively.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant examination of the issues surrounding unauthorized drone incursions over U.S. military bases and the legislative response aimed at addressing these threats. It effectively highlights the bipartisan support for the COUNTER Act and the concerns of military officials regarding national security. However, the story could benefit from a broader range of perspectives, particularly those related to civil liberties and privacy concerns. While the article is generally accurate and clear, it lacks detailed verification of specific incidents and could improve transparency by providing more information about its sources and methodology. Overall, the story serves as a solid introduction to the topic, with room for further exploration of the broader implications and potential controversies.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as the drone incursions at Langley Air Force Base and the introduction of the COUNTER Act, which are generally consistent with publicly available information. The article accurately reports the bipartisan nature of the bill and the lawmakers involved, such as Senators Tom Cotton and Kirsten Gillibrand. However, the story lacks detailed verification of the specific incidents involving drones, such as their origin and purpose, which remain unclear. The claim about military officials' uncertainty regarding their authority to shoot down drones is plausible but requires further confirmation from authoritative sources. Overall, while the story aligns with known facts, some areas need additional verification to ensure full accuracy.

6
Balance

The article predominantly focuses on the legislative and military perspectives regarding drone incursions and the proposed COUNTER Act. It presents viewpoints from lawmakers and military officials, emphasizing national security concerns. However, it lacks perspectives from other stakeholders, such as civil liberties groups or drone manufacturers, who might have differing views on the implications of expanding military authority over drones. Including these perspectives could provide a more balanced view of the potential impacts of the legislation. The absence of these viewpoints results in a slight imbalance, as the article leans towards a security-focused narrative without addressing potential civil liberties or privacy concerns.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, straightforward language to convey its main points. It logically presents the issue of drone incursions, the legislative response, and the perspectives of key stakeholders. The use of subheadings and quotes from relevant figures helps to organize the information and guide the reader through the narrative. However, some technical aspects, such as the legal framework governing drone engagements, could be explained more thoroughly to ensure a complete understanding for readers unfamiliar with military or legislative jargon.

7
Source quality

The article cites credible sources, including statements from lawmakers and military officials, which enhances its reliability. The involvement of well-known figures like Senators Tom Cotton and Kirsten Gillibrand lends authority to the claims made about the legislation. However, the story could benefit from a broader range of sources to support its claims, such as independent experts on drone technology or legal analysts who could provide additional context and analysis. The reliance on a single news outlet (Fox News) may limit the diversity of perspectives and interpretations of the events described.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of the events and legislative proposals, but it lacks transparency in certain areas. While it mentions the introduction and support of the COUNTER Act, it does not provide specific details about the bill's text or the legislative process it will undergo. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting. Greater transparency regarding the sources of information and the methodology used to gather facts would enhance the reader's understanding of the story's basis and potential biases.

Sources

  1. https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-gillibrand-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-military-installations-from-unauthorized-drones
  2. https://yakym.house.gov/posts/rep-yakym-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-counter-drone-threats-at-stadiums-and-public-events
  3. https://www.congress.gov/crs-products/product/pdf/IN/IN12418
  4. https://ucdrones.github.io/regulatory-updates.html
  5. https://ledrones.org/2025-national-defense-authorization-act-ndaa/