Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), the leading Democrat on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), called on the Biden administration to be more transparent about recent drone sightings along the East Coast, raising concerns over potential surveillance by the CCP.
Speaking on Sunday, Krishnamoorthi stressed the need for public clarity and legislative action to safeguard national security.
In light of numerous reports of mysterious drones over U.S. airspace, Krishnamoorthi said, “The administration needs to be more forthcoming with information they have. If they believe these lights in the sky are civilian aircraft, then show us.” He confirmed that he, along with Republican and Democratic colleagues, would be receiving a classified briefing on the matter to better understand the nature of the drone activity.
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Krishnamoorthi emphasized the potential national security risks posed by Chinese-manufactured drones, which he warned could allow the CCP to access sensitive data. “We need as much information as possible. These drones could enable the Chinese Communist Party to surveil Americans through backdoor data access,” he stated.
Krishnamoorthi highlighted bipartisan efforts to address the threat of Chinese drones, specifically those manufactured by DJI, a Chinese company with a significant presence in the U.S. market. Alongside House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Krishnamoorthi spearheaded legislation included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to restrict the use of DJI drones in American airspace.
“Our legislation aims to prevent Chinese-manufactured drones from flying over American airspace and accessing data that could compromise our security,” he said. The bill also prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase DJI drones, which are widely used for their affordability despite the security risks.
READ: Reports Of Drones Over U.S. Capitol Stir Speculation Amid Ongoing Drone Sightings Across The U.S.
Krishnamoorthi pointed to the dual consequences of relying on Chinese drones: potential espionage and the stifling of domestic drone manufacturing. “The problem is that while these drones are cheap, we’re sacrificing national security. This also prevents a domestic drone industry from being built,” he explained. He underscored the need to incentivize American manufacturers to produce secure and reliable drones for law enforcement and other uses.
The conversation underscored growing bipartisan concerns about the CCP’s influence and surveillance capabilities. “The FBI tells us every three seconds that China is our number one adversary,” Fox News host Maria Bartiromo said during the interview, to which Krishnamoorthi agreed, warning that the U.S. must act swiftly to counter these threats.
READ: Rep. Chris Smith, Local Officials Address Unexplained Drone Sightings In New Jersey
As Congress prepares to address the national security implications of drone technology, Krishnamoorthi’s comments reflect a broader bipartisan push to limit the influence of Chinese technology in critical sectors. The classified briefing on drone activity, coupled with legislative action, is expected to be a pivotal step in strengthening America’s defense against foreign surveillance.
“We must prioritize national security over cost savings,” Krishnamoorthi concluded. “It’s time to protect Americans and foster a trusted domestic drone industry.”
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