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(WASHINGTON)—Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Armed Services Adam Smith (D-WA) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding a classified briefing on the shutdown of public airspace in El Paso stemming from the deployment of a counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) last week.
In the letter, the Ranking Members wrote, “…[T]here are conflicting reports on the cause for this abrupt airspace closure, ranging from an alleged ‘cartel drone incursion’ to a shoot-down of a party balloon. Even more concerning, we understand that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DOD deployed this complex C-UAS technology without required coordination with the FAA…[which] introduces unnecessary and dangerous risk into U.S. airspace.”
“Despite repeated requests, our Committees have received little or no substantive information on your Departments’ actions that led to the events in El Paso. We request a joint classified briefing as soon as possible to gain clarity into what led to the closure of airspace in the El Paso area and how your Departments plan to rectify the systemic failures in your C-UAS deployment process,” the Members continued.
To read the full letter, click here.
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