South Dakota Governor and 30 Governors Urge Congress to Address Drone Threats

A drone flying in the air

Northeast News SD – South Dakota - Governor Larry Rhoden, along with 30 other governors, has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to take action against Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, that pose a threat to critical infrastructure and public safety.

The letter, addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, highlights the growing concern over the use of drones for purposes such as "espionage, stalking, and other kinds of attacks."

The governors specifically requested that Congress:

·        Enact legislation to clarify coordination between federal and state authorities.

·        Grant states explicit legal authority, similar to the federal government's, to detect and mitigate UAS threats.

The letter states that Congress "cannot wait for a catastrophic event to occur before taking action," and that this clarity is "essential for effectively safeguarding our citizens and critical infrastructure."

The governors also commended President Donald J. Trump's executive orders, "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty" and "Unleashing American Drone Dominance," for their efforts to address the issue.

In addition to Governor Rhoden, the letter was signed by governors from Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Guam, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.