WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved two bipartisan bills championed by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
The Committee cleared Sinema’s bipartisan Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act and the bipartisan Military Spouse Employment Act – bipartisan bills that strengthen Arizona’s security and support military spouses.
“We’re proud our bipartisan bills strengthening Arizona’s security against threats posed by drones and supporting Arizona’s military spouses passed the Homeland Security Committee. We’re looking forward to securing bipartisan passage in the Senate,” said Sinema, a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sinema’s bipartisan Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act strengthens security and readiness against threats posed by drones and other unmanned aircraft systems to Arizona. Sinema’s bipartisan legislation reauthorizes expiring authorities allowing the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Justice to protect designated areas and events against drones. Additionally, it reforms the authorities to include protecting airports and critical infrastructure from drones, and creates a pilot program for additional law enforcement agencies to counter drone-related threats. The bill ensures the privacy and civil liberties of legitimate drone users are respected by imposing strict limitations on the government’s use of these authorities.
The bipartisan Military Spouse Employment Act provides federal agencies clear authority to hire and allow military spouses to work fully remotely – ensuring the military spouse can continue serving the United States even if transferred to another location along with their spouse. Sinema’s bipartisan bill empowers Arizona servicemembers and their families to continue their careers in federal service.
