WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Chairman of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), sent a letter calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to urgently investigate and disclose information about the increasing reports of unexplained drone activity in the Philadelphia region, including Bucks County, and neighboring New Jersey.

With growing reports of sightings of unidentified unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) near critical infrastructure, Fitzpatrick is urging for immediate federal action to address public safety concerns and transparency. 

Key questions raised in Fitzpatrick’s letter include:

1. Has the FAA been able to access the remote identifications of the drones not acting in compliance? And if so, what can be determined about these UAS?
2. Are federal agencies (DHS, FAA, and FBI) collaborating with state and local partners to ensure appropriate accountability measures are in place for violators of UAS regulations?
3. What additional measures can authorities who oversee areas of critical infrastructure in this region implement to protect themselves from a potential threat to their privacy and security?
4. Has the FAA been able to record the flight tracks of these UAS and identify what classes of airspace they are operating in and any subsequent airspace incursions?

The full text of the letter can be read here and below:

Dear Director Mayorkas, Administrator Whitaker, and Director Wray,

I write to you to express my concern over the widespread reports of unidentified drone activity in the Philadelphia region including in Bucks County. For the past several weeks, community members have reported sightings of unidentified unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), in some cases appearing over areas with critical infrastructure. While initial briefings indicate no immediate threat to public safety, I take the legitimate concerns of my constituents seriously, as well as our neighbors in New Jersey, and the broader American public. I am calling on our federal agencies to increase resources dedicated to investigating this escalating issue and to deliver a thorough public briefing.

Through my role as Chairman of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) I have requested a classified briefing from relevant intelligence agencies. Beyond this imperative briefing, I am requesting answers to the following questions:

1. Has the FAA been able to access the remote identifications of the drones not acting in compliance? If so, what can be determined about these UAS?
2. Are the DHS, the FAA, and the FBI collaborating with state and local partners to ensure the appropriate accountability measures are in place for violators of current UAS regulations?
3. Are there any measures authorities who oversee areas of critical infrastructure in this region should be implementing to protect themselves from a potential threat to their privacy and security?
4. Has the FAA been able to record the flight tracks of these UAS and identify what classes of airspace they are operating in and any subsequent airspace incursions?

Thank you for your attention to this matter, as well as your continued service in protecting our nation.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding this request for information, please contact my office at (202) 225-4276.

Sincerely,

Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Member of Congress

 ###