{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-urges-faa-to-address-safety-and-security-risks-of-drones", "Schatz Urges FAA to Address Safety and Security Risks of Drones", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Brian Schatz", "S001194", "www.schatz.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Schatz Urges FAA to Address Safety and Security Risks of Drones \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Schatz Sends Letter Calling for Emergency Rulemaking   \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, November 24, 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t  Honolulu, HI \u2013 Following reports of small unmanned aircraft sightings near commercial airports in New York and Florida, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai\u2018i) sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta calling for immediate action to address the safety concerns and potential security risks of small unmanned aircraft, also known as drones. \u201cI recognize the opportunities with the expanded use of unmanned aircraft and the benefits of using them for search and rescue missions, disaster monitoring, and border surveillance, among others.\u00a0 However, with small unmanned aircraft becoming more prevalent, the FAA must ensure that requirements are in place to protect the safety of our local communities,\u201d Senator Schatz wrote. \u00a0\u201cRisks posed by unmanned aircraft are too serious to ignore.\u00a0 I strongly urge you to issue an emergency rule, such as an interim final rule, to ensure the safety of our communities.\u201d\r\n The full text of the letter to Administrator Huerta follows: The Honorable Michael P. Huerta  Administrator  Federal Aviation Administration  U.S. Department of Transportation  800 Independence Avenue, SW  Washington, DC 20591\r\nDear Administrator Huerta:\r\nI write to express strong concerns regarding small unmanned aircraft operating in the national airspace system.\u00a0 I urge you to take immediate action by issuing an emergency rulemaking, such as an interim final rule, that would adequately address safety concerns and potential security risks.\r\nLast week\u2019s reports of unmanned aircraft sightings near flights landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport, as well as the reported incident at Tallahassee Regional Airport earlier this year, demonstrate that this is a serious safety issue that could have enormous consequences if not addressed promptly.\r\nIn addition, small unmanned aircraft are vulnerable to being intentionally hacked or jammed if they do not have encrypted navigation systems.\u00a0 This could result in the loss of control of the unmanned aircraft and could inflict harm on Americans. \u00a0  I recognize the opportunities with the expanded use of unmanned aircraft and the benefits of using them for search and rescue missions, disaster monitoring, and border surveillance, among others.\u00a0 However, with small unmanned aircraft becoming more prevalent, the FAA must ensure that requirements are in place to protect the safety of our local communities.  I understand that the Federal Aviation Administration is currently in the process of drafting a rule for small unmanned aircraft as directed in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95).\u00a0 The FAA has not met the August 2014 deadline to issue a final rule.\u00a0 It is critical that we move expeditiously to ensure the public\u2019s safety. As you know, risks posed by unmanned aircraft are too serious to ignore.\u00a0 I strongly urge you to issue an emergency rule, such as an interim final rule, to ensure the safety of our communities.\u00a0 Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response. Regards,\r\nBRIAN SCHATZ  United States Senator\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-urges-faa-to-address-safety-and-security-risks-of-drones"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0116728954017162, "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"}