PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 5, 2025
Drones for First Responders Act
This bill imposes additional duties (i.e., tariffs) and limitations on the importation of unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and drone components sourced from China.
Specifically, the bill imposes an additional duty on Chinese drones that incrementally increases from 30% (30 days after the bill's enactment) to $100 each plus 50% (four years after the bill's enactment and thereafter).
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Beginning in 2031, a drone may not enter the United States unless it is accompanied by a document required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish that the drone does not contain specified components (e.g., radios or cameras) manufactured in China. CBP must confirm the document's veracity. The Federal Aviation Administration must provide CBP with a list of drones that qualify for an exemption from the prohibition. Generally, drones may not enter the United States under an exemption if they are wholly manufactured by a covered foreign entity (e.g., a Chinese military company) or in a foreign adversary country (i.e., North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran).
The bill also (1) establishes the Secure Unmanned Aircraft Systems for First Responders Fund within the Treasury, (2) requires revenues from tariffs imposed on Chinese drones to be deposited into the fund, and (3) authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to use the fund to make grants to first responders, farmers and ranchers, and providers of critical infrastructure for secure drones (i.e., drones that are not manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity or in a foreign adversary country).
People & committees
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] · R–NY
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Jun 1, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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