(The Center Square) – Proposed legislation that would tax Chinese drone imports and use the money to help American first responders buy American-made alternatives.
Up to 90% of drones used by U.S. fire, police and emergency agencies are made in China, according to lawmakers and industry estimates. The concern is that this equipment could pose security risks if data collected by drones is stored or transmitted through systems tied to foreign governments. The bill aims to limit those risks while growing domestic drone manufacturing.
The Drones for First Responders Act was introduced by Reps. Rob Wittman, R-Va., Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill. It also has the support of China Select Committee Chairman Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich.
The legislation would impose new tariffs on drones made in China, then use that revenue to fund a federal grant program.
The grants would be available to first responders, critical infrastructure providers and farmers to help cover the cost of purchasing drones manufactured in the United States or allies.
The bill would impose tariffs starting at 30%, increasing by 5% each year. Lawmakers say the goal is to counter unfair trade practices and protect domestic manufacturers.
By 2030, drones imported into the United States would also be required to meet stricter rules of origin that prevent key components from being sourced in China.
The bill also responds to past warnings from federal agencies. A 2024 alert from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and a 2017 Department of Homeland Security bulletin warned that Chinese-made drones could expose critical U.S. systems to surveillance or disruption, according to the press release.
Virginia’s strong ties to the military and federal agencies add weight to the national security concerns raised by lawmakers. The commonwealth is home to defense installations including the Pentagon, Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, where cybersecurity and data protection are top priorities.
Wittman said the legislation is intended to address national security concerns and strengthen domestic supply chains for technologies used in emergency response.
“The United States should not be reliant on Communist China for drones that are critical to our nation’s first responder operations,” Wittman said in a statement. “The Drones for First Responders Act will ensure Americans can purchase secure, trusted drones and help restore American manufacturing competitiveness.”
