New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has referred to as for a heightened federal drone protection technique, following stories of drone sightings in the Northeast in direction of the tip of 2024
“I’m writing to you with respect to the essential want for federal motion relating to the risk posed by unmanned aerial programs (UAS), generally often known as drones,” Hochul mentioned in a letter to President Trump last week.
“As you’re conscious, late final 12 months, the New York Metropolis space and the Hudson Valley skilled regarding UAS sightings that underscored the inadequacy of the federal authorities’s posture and the constrained capability of state authorities to detect and mitigate these threats,” she added.
Hochul wrote two letters, one addressed to President Trump and one other addressed to Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-S.D.) and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
Drone sightings rattled multiple Northeastern states, most notably New Jersey, in late 2024. Former President Biden’s administration mentioned in December that the drones weren’t a nationwide safety or public danger.
“In early June, the Ukrainian navy launched a profitable shock assault in opposition to Russian strategic air forces utilizing drones,” Hochul mentioned in her letters “This serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and important hazard these programs current. An assault in opposition to strategic navy and significant infrastructure in New York poses an pressing hazard to america.”
“I urge the Administration to proactively enhance the UAS detection and mitigation posture in New York and for Congress to increase current authorities and broaden states’ skills to detect and mitigate these threats themselves,” the Empire State governor added.
The Hill has reached out to the White Home, Thune’s workplace, Schumer’s workplace, Johnson’s workplace and Jeffries’s workplace for remark.