Barrett, Harrigan Introduce Bill To Strengthen Drone Security In Law Enforcement

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Tom Barrett (MI-07) and Pat Harrigan (NC-10) introduced the American Drone Manufacturing Dominance Act (H.R. 9430) to help law enforcement agencies transition away from foreign-made drones. The bill would also strengthen domestic drone manufacturing and restore America's leadership in one of the most important technologies shaping the future battlefield.

"Mass-produced foreign-made drones present a national security hazard, especially for missions that impact public safety and security," said Barrett. "This legislation will help law enforcement agencies transition to secure, American-made or allied systems while strengthening domestic manufacturing and innovation. Michigan is already playing an increasing role in drone testing and development through the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, and I'm excited about how this legislation will give us a new opportunity to lead on this critical technology and reduce our dependence on foreign suppliers."

This bill follows Barrett's successful effort in February 2026 to help secure Michigan's National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) as a Department of Defense-designated national drone testing site. The Army and National Guard Bureau selected the NADWC as a designated national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training, a move that will bring additional drone testing and manufacturing to Michigan.

"China didn't become dominant in the drone market by accident, and we're not going to reclaim that ground by sitting on the sidelines," said Harrigan. "My bill helps law enforcement replace insecure foreign-made systems, invests in American manufacturing, and strengthens the industrial base we'll need to compete and win in the years ahead. If drones are going to define the future of warfare, public safety, and critical infrastructure, those drones should be built in America, not Beijing."

Specifically, the American Drone Manufacturing Dominance Act would support law-enforcement's transition away from foreign-made drones by:

• Requiring local law enforcement agencies to certify that they will not procure new adversarial drones within one year and will not operate adversarial drones after 5 years;
• Funding a DOJ run buy-back program for adversarial drones owned by local law enforcement and provides additional revenue for law enforcement to purchase non-adversarial drones;
• Creating a grant program under the Department of Commerce for domestic drone manufacturing capabilities;
• Requiring drones manufactured by eligible entities to be readily repurposed for national security needs; and
• Requiring any unexpended grant funds to be repurposed for deficit reduction after 5 years.

Click here to read the full American Drone Manufacturing Dominance Act.

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