YourVoice.Now Summary
Criminal Justice & Due ProcessExtends the federal espionage law to cover video — filming defense information, such as by drone, would carry the same penalties as photos.
Criminal Justice & Due Process
- Espionage Act scope — Extended to cover video of national defense information, matching the existing photograph ban
The details
Federal espionage law already bans gathering or transmitting national defense information without authorization, but it lists older formats like photographic negatives. This bill would add 'video' throughout that law. Taking or transmitting video of protected defense information — for example, with a drone — would carry the same penalties as unauthorized photographs. The change closes a gap created by newer recording technology. The underlying law still applies only to national defense information gathered with intent or reason to believe it could harm the United States.
Congressional Summary
Drone Espionage ActThis bill makes it a federal crime under the Espionage Act to engage in certain activities related to obtaining, receiving, or transmitting video of national defense information. The term national defense information means information or other material that is related to national defense.The Espionage Act prohibits certain activities related to obtaining, receiving, or transmitting national defense information that could harm the United States or aid a foreign nation. Under current law, the prohibitions only apply if national defense information is obtained, received, or transmitted by certain means, such as a sketch, photograph, photographic negative, blueprint, plan, map, model, instrument, appliance, document, writing, or note. Under current law, a violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.This bill makes the criminal prohibitions under the Espionage Act applicable if national defense information is obtained, received, or transmitted by means of video. Under this bill, a violator is subject to the same penalties as under existing law—a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-02-09
- Date Added
- 2026-07-22
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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