119th Congress · introduced in the Senate · Feb 20, 2025
DEFENSE Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Feb 20, 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Transportation and Public Works
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in Senate (Feb 20, 2025)
Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment Act or the DEFENSE Act
This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) to deputize state or local law enforcement officers to take certain drone countermeasures to protect stadiums and other public gatherings.
Specifically, DHS or DOJ may provide state or local law enforcement officers with the authority to identify, monitor, and track drones; warn drone operators; disrupt or take control of drones; or use reasonable force to disable, damage, and seize or destroy drones deemed to pose a threat.
This authority applies for the purposes of protecting an event, stadium, or venue; certain large public gatherings (e.g., gatherings that are primarily outdoors with an estimated attendance of at least 100,000 people); or other public gatherings protected by specific temporary flight restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Prior to being deputized, a state or local law enforcement officer must complete training in the use of the drone countermeasure authority.
DHS or DOJ, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and the FAA, must exercise oversight over the use of this authority by deputized state or local law enforcement officers.
Finally, the bill limits the equipment authorized for detecting, identifying, monitoring, or tracking drones to systems or technologies that are included on a list of authorized equipment maintained by DHS, in coordination with DOJ, the FAA, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Show less of the summaryIncludes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
No recorded roll calls on this bill in coverage.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 25, 2026.
14 citations.
NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE, INC · lobbying firm or registrant: NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE, INC.
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Defense
$600,000
Spent on own lobbying
…y construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. S.663 - DEFENSE Act: To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize a State or local law enforcement officer to protect certain…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$290,000
Spent on own lobbying
…c Freedom Act of 2025; HR.9568/S.3378, HUSTLE Act; HR.3624, Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act; HR.7128, TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026; S.663, DEFENSE Act; S.2932, Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act; S.2889, Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025; Section 8601 of S.1071, N…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$260,000
Spent on own lobbying
…c Freedom Act of 2025; HR.9568/S.3378, HUSTLE Act; HR.3624, Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act; HR.7128, TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026; S.663, DEFENSE Act; S.2932, Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act; S.2889, Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025; Section 8601 of S.1071, N…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE, INC · lobbying firm or registrant: NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE, INC.
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Defense
$560,000
Spent on own lobbying
…y construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. S.663 - DEFENSE Act: To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to deputize a State or local law enforcement officer to protect certain…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$310,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ing Student Athletes Economic Freedom Act of 2025; HR.3624, Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act; HR.7128, TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026; S.663, DEFENSE Act; S.2932, Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act; S.2889, Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025; Section 8601 of S.1071, N…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 21, 2026 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$240,000
Spent on own lobbying
…350, College Athletics Reform Act; HR.2688, Protecting Student Athletes Economic Freedom Act of 2025; HR.3624, Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act; S.663, DEFENSE Act; S.2932, Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act; S.2889, Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025; Section 8601 of S.1071, N…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 20, 2025 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$270,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Student-athlete Protections and Opportunities through Rights, Transparency, and Safety Act; HR.2688, Protecting Student Athletes Economic Freedom Act of 2025; S.663, DEFENSE Act; S.2932, Student Athlete Fairness and Enforcement Act; S.2889, Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025. Issues related to name, i…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SMALL UAV COALITION · lobbying firm or registrant: DGA GROUP GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LLC
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 15, 2025 · issue area: Aviation/Airlines/Airports
$70,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…e training grant program, and ADS-B equipage rebate program; counter-UAS legislative proposals; unidentified aircraft flights over New Jersey and other states; S. 663, DEFENSE Act; H.R. 1058, Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act, H.R. 1907, Defense Against Drones Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 22, 2025 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$160,000
Spent on own lobbying
Issues related to counter-UAS legislation (S. 663, DEFENSE Act); Issues concerning the PHIT Act (H.R. 2369, S. 1144); Issues concerning Ticketing legislation; FAA Reauthorization; Issues concerning UAS/Drones;…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 21, 2025 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$250,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 3847, Student-athlete Protections and Opportunities through Rights, Transparency, and Safety Act; S.663, DEFENSE Act. Issues related to name, image, and likeness, stadium safety, athletic scholarships, health and safety, gender equity, academic success, sports be…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SMALL UAV COALITION · lobbying firm or registrant: DGA GROUP GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LLC
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 21, 2025 · issue area: Aviation/Airlines/Airports
$105,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…e training grant program, and ADS-B equipage rebate program; counter-UAS legislative proposals; unidentified aircraft flights over New Jersey and other states; S. 663, DEFENSE Act; H.R. 1058, Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act, H.R. 1907, Defense Against Drones Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 22, 2025 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$160,000
Spent on own lobbying
Issues related to counter-UAS legislation (S. 663, DEFENSE Act); Issues concerning the PHIT Act (H.R. 2369, S. 1144); Issues concerning Ticketing legislation; FAA Reauthorization; Issues concerning UAS/Drones;…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 18, 2025 · issue area: Sports/Athletics
$270,000
Spent on own lobbying
S.663, DEFENSE Act. Issues related to name, image, and likeness, stadium safety, athletic scholarships, health and safety, gender equity, academic success, sports be…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SMALL UAV COALITION · lobbying firm or registrant: DGA GROUP GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LLC
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 14, 2025 · issue area: Aviation/Airlines/Airports
$105,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…S-B equipage rebate program; counter-UAS legislative proposals; unidentified aircraft flights over New Jersey and other states; nomination of Michael Kratsios; S. 663, DEFENSE Act; H.R. 1058, Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act, H.R. 1907, Defense Against Drones Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing