{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-van-epps-introduces-legislation-to-safeguard-critical-infrastructure-from-drone-threats", "Rep. Van Epps Introduces Legislation to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure from Drone Threats", "2026-06-09", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "TN", "Matt Van Epps", "V000139", "vanepps.house.gov", "vanepps", "https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Read the exclusive from Francis Kapper at the Daily Caller News Foundation here\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) introduced The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act to strengthen protections for America\u2019s most vital infrastructure against unauthorized drone activity and attacks. This legislation will enhance security at critical infrastructure sites, including hospitals, power plants, water treatment facilities, chemical processing facilities, and dams.\n\nRep. Van Epps said, \u201cAs Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing, developing counter-drone capabilities is a top priority, especially when considering upcoming major events. I agree, but the threat goes even further. America\u2019s adversaries are increasingly turning to cheap, easily deployable drones to target the critical infrastructure that keeps our country running.\n\n\u201cFrom health care and agriculture to energy, transportation, manufacturing, and our defense industrial base, critical infrastructure is now on the front lines. An attack on a single chemical facility, power station, or water system could cause devastating economic damage and put American lives at risk,\u201d Rep. Van Epps continued.\n\nRep. Van Epps concluded, \u201cI am grateful to Senator Cotton for introducing The Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act, and am proud to lead the effort in the House. As someone who served in the War on Terror, I know how ruthless our enemies can be. They will not balk at hitting the United States where it would hurt us most, which is why we must empower critical infrastructure sites to protect themselves.\u201d\n\nSenator Tom Cotton (R-AK) introduced this bill in the Senate. Upon introduction, he stated, \u201cOur hospitals, power plants, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure sites can\u2019t remain sitting ducks for potential drone attacks. My bill will ensure these important sites are protected from all unauthorized drones.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThis legislation would:", 1, "2026-06-10T06:36:00Z", "2026-06-10T06:37:32Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-van-epps-introduces-legislation-to-safeguard-critical-infrastructure-from-drone-threats"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4756890013813972, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}