China cracks down on renewal of anti-drone authority, last-minute government funding extension

To avoid a government shutdown, Congress is expected to pass legislation reauthorizing the government's ability to intercept and track unauthorized drones and police U.S. investment in China.

The more than 1,500-page continuing resolution (CR), which provides funding to the government through March 14, includes a provision that reauthorizes a Department of Homeland Security program that allows government agencies to work together to counter the drone threat. Included. The authority, passed in 2018, was scheduled to expire on Friday, at a time when concerns about drone intrusion are at an all-time high.

But this is simply a reauthorization of a program that many drone experts say is outdated. Congress has not rushed through legislation to strengthen the government's detection capabilities or give state and local law enforcement more authority to deal with unlicensed drones.

“The security industry wants people to know that we have the technology to identify and socially mitigate these drones,” said Brett Fedderson, chair of the Security Industry Association's UAS Working Group. He told FOX News Digital.

“Despite the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice repeatedly coming to Congress and saying they can't do their jobs effectively, Congress needs state and local law enforcement to be on the front lines to do the work they need to do. We need help from state and local law enforcement.”

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“We're worried that the drone catastrophe will motivate them to sit down at the table and actually vote on something that removes the authorities.”

The drone phenomenon, which began in New Jersey a month ago, has since led to 6,000 tips to the FBI. Since then, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have been reported to be flying near military bases like Picatinny Arsenal.

“We need to change the way we think about drone detection,” said Ryan Guri, CEO of military drone maker PDW. “Instead of listening to radio waves, we need radar. It's a proactive approach where we set up radar and camera bases like cell phone towers to detect things like drones.”

“The power of small drones cannot be stopped. We must be prepared. This is just a glimpse of our future.”

The CR also includes provisions that prevent U.S. investments in military technology development, which were excluded from the NDAA.

The rules ban U.S. lending to some China-based ventures and require Americans to notify the government of their involvement in other ventures.

Social media users said they captured footage of multiple drones hovering over Fairfield, Connecticut. (Lucy Biggers)

It limits and monitors U.S. investments in artificial intelligence, computer chips, and quantum computing, all of which have dual uses in defense and commercial fields.

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The rules aim to restrict access to “countries of concern” like China, including the Hong Kong and Macau regions, and require US dollars to be provided to fund the development of advanced technologies such as next-generation missile systems and fighter jets. There is. for their own troops. It is scheduled to take effect on January 2nd.

Lawmakers are criticizing financial institutions that funnel billions of dollars from American investors into Chinese stocks in companies that the United States believes are being used by the Chinese Communist Party to build up China's military.

The bill codifies and expands on recent Treasury regulations restricting foreign investment in China and examines the national security risks posed by Chinese-made consumer routers and modems. , which includes a requirement to conduct a review of Chinese real estate purchases located near sensitive locations such as military installations. .

House Speaker Mike Johnson (left) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (not pictured) must pass a continuing resolution and get it to President Biden's desk by midnight Saturday. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

It would also require the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publicly list all companies with FCC licenses that are owned or partially owned by a hostile government, such as China.

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The CR announced Tuesday night is a short-term extension of government funding at 2024 levels intended to give lawmakers more time to agree on funding for the remainder of 2025. This is the second such extension since fiscal year 2024 ended on September 30.

To avoid a partial government shutdown, it must pass the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate by Friday and reach President Biden's desk by midnight that day. The bill is expected to pass in both chambers, especially from conservatives who want to cut spending in the 2025 budget.

FOX News' Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.