{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mccormick.senate.gov/news/press-releases/pennsylvania-senators-mccormick-and-fetterman-introduce-bill-to-accelerateu-s-military-drone-and-autonomous-systems-strategy/", "PENNSYLVANIA SENATORS MCCORMICK AND FETTERMAN INTRODUCE BILL TO ACCELERATEU.S. MILITARY DRONE AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS STRATEGY", "2026-05-21", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "Senate", "PA", "David McCormick", "M001243", "www.mccormick.senate.gov", "davemccormick", "https://www.mccormick.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman today introduced the Unmanned Autonomous Systems Strategy Act, legislation requiring the U.S. Department of War to develop a comprehensive, all-domain strategy for the rapid deployment, integration, and scaling of unmanned and autonomous systems (UAS) across the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere.\n\nThe bill will help the Department of War accelerate the fielding of large numbers of capable, low-cost, AI-enabled drones. These systems have already transformed warfare in the air, on the surface, and undersea. Getting this strategy right is essential to maintaining the military superiority and deterrence the U.S. has long relied on.\n\n\u201cUnmanned and autonomous systems represent the most disruptive shift in military technology since precision-guided munitions and stealth,\u201d said Senator McCormick. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen their impact in Ukraine and across the Middle East. The nation that can field affordable, scalable autonomous systems fastest will have a decisive military advantage. America cannot afford to fall behind.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnmanned and autonomous systems are part of our lives right now with no strategy for deploying them where they matter most,\u201d said Senator Fetterman. \u201cPennsylvania\u2019s defense industry builds some of the best of these systems and we should be putting them to work to keep Americans safe\u2014and this bill does that.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, core requirements of the comprehensive strategy under the Unmanned Autonomous Systems Strategy Act would include:\n\nCapability Gap Assessment \u2014 Evaluates where U.S. unmanned capabilities fall short across surveillance, strike, anti-submarine warfare, logistics, electronic warfare, and counter-drone operations.\n\nForce Design Review \u2014 Identifies the air, surface, and undersea autonomous systems needed to support operations in the Indo-Pacific and Western Hemisphere.\n\nForward Deployment Strategy \u2014 Examines basing and deployment options across INDOPACOM, NORTHCOM, and SOUTHCOM areas of responsibility.\n\nTechnology and Integration Plan \u2014 Assesses emerging technologies, including AI and hybrid-electric propulsion, and outlines integration with existing military platforms and command systems.\n\nAllied Cooperation \u2014 Establishes a framework for joint development and interoperability with key allies and partners including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine.\n\nIndustrial Base and Procurement Strategy \u2014 Identifies supply chain vulnerabilities, scalable manufacturing opportunities, and commercially available systems compliant with the American Security Drone Act.\n\nIn the Indo-Pacific, China has already built the world\u2019s largest navy and is rapidly expanding its drone capabilities while investing heavily in anti-access and area denial systems designed to keep U.S. forces out of the region. The United States must rapidly field affordable, expendable autonomous systems capable of persistent surveillance, undersea operations, and long-range strike missions.\n\nCloser to home, drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations increasingly exploit maritime and air corridors across the Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, and U.S. coastal waters. Unmanned aerial systems can provide persistent surveillance at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft and ships, easing pressure on U.S. military and Coast Guard resources.\n\nThe full bill text may be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-23T06:08:46Z", "2026-05-23T06:10:20Z"]], "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://www.mccormick.senate.gov/news/press-releases/pennsylvania-senators-mccormick-and-fetterman-introduce-bill-to-accelerateu-s-military-drone-and-autonomous-systems-strategy/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7171519100666046, "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"}