U.S. House Of Representatives Narrowly Passes DJI Drone Ban Bill

The Countering CCP Drone Act Moves To The Senate, Sparking Debate Over National Security And Economic Impact

 

This past week, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the Countering CCP Drone Act, a bill aimed at banning DJI drones from the United States. Introduced by Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), this legislation has generated significant discussion and concern among drone enthusiasts, industry professionals, and national security experts.

The bill's journey towards becoming law is intricate, requiring multiple steps. Initially introduced in April, the bill first needed approval from the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). These committees easily passed the bill in May. The next critical hurdle was passed last Friday when the bill, included in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, narrowly passed in the House by a vote of 217 to 199.

The bill's next stop is the Senate, where it will face debate and potential amendments. It's common for the Senate to alter House-passed bills, necessitating a reconciliation process between both congressional houses. If the Senate's version differs from the House's, members from both sides will meet to reconcile the differences before a final vote. If the reconciled version passes both houses, it will be sent to the President for approval and signing into law.

Proponents of the bill, like Gallagher and Stefanik, argue that Chinese laws could compel DJI to assist in espionage activities. Stefanik likened DJI drones to the security threat posed by TikTok, highlighting the potential risks of live imagery of military and critical infrastructure being transmitted to China.

“DJI presents an unacceptable national security risk, and it is past time that drones made by Communist China are removed from America,” said Stefanik. “Allowing this practice to continue in the U.S. is playing with fire. This Chinese-controlled company cannot be allowed to continue to operate in the U.S.”

In contrast, DJI representatives and other critics argue that the bill is driven by xenophobic fears and baseless allegations, which could harm public safety and the U.S. economy. DJI, based in Shenzhen, China, is the world's largest drone manufacturer, holding over 70% of the global market share. The potential ban has caused concern among drone pilots and advocates who fear that existing authorizations could be revoked, grounding many drones.

The current version of the bill does not prohibit the use of existing DJI drones but bans future sales, accessories, and software updates. However, there is concern that the legislation could lead to more restrictive measures, impacting the drone industry significantly.

DJI and the Drone Advocacy Alliance have called on the public to contact their Senators to oppose the bill, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the safe and responsible use of drones in the U.S.

As the Senate prepares to take up the bill, the debate continues over balancing national security with economic and technological advancement. The outcome will have significant implications for the drone industry, national security, and U.S.-China relations.

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Source: PetaPixel

Photo Credit: DJI

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