# 119-s-1809: Drone Espionage Act

119-s-1809, Drone Espionage Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL] (R-FL); status in_committee (as of 2026-08-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1809
- As of: 2026-08-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1809
- Congress: 119
- Title: Drone Espionage Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-05-20
- Sponsor: Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL] (R-FL)
- Cosponsors: 13
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-11

## Summary

**Expands federal criminal liability to cover video of defense information.** The Drone Espionage Act would amend 18 U.S.C. 793 by inserting the word "video," after "photographic negative," wherever it appears, so taking or transmitting video that contains defense information would fall under the statute's national-defense information offenses. The text does not create new penalties, enforcement mechanisms, or programs.

## Cosponsors (13)

- Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (R-AR), 2025-05-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (R-UT), 2025-05-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC] (R-NC), 2025-05-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH] (R-OH), 2025-05-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] (R-NC), 2025-05-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI] (D-MI), 2025-06-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (R-MS), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX), 2025-06-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] (R-TN), 2025-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL] (R-AL), 2025-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2] (R-OK), 2025-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL] (R-AL), 2025-07-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA] (R-PA), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New criminal rule for drone video: cost, medium. This bill would add the word "video" to the national-defense secrecy law. It would amend 18 U.S.C. 793 so video is treated like a photographic negative. If enacted, taking, holding, or sending video of certain defense information could lead to criminal charges. This would most affect drone operator…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-sres-585: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
- 119-sres-255: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri.
- 119-sres-220: A resolution designating the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week".

## Sources
- [119-s-1809 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1809)

## Related
- [119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1071)
- [119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2296)
- [119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4784)
- [119-sres-585: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Ben Nighthorse Camp…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-585)
- [119-sres-255: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United State…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-255)
- [119-sres-220: A resolution designating the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-220)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1809 (as of 2026-08-11).