USCP Empowerment Act of 2025
The USCP Empowerment Act of 2025 (H.R. 3334 IH) is a bill in the U.S. Congress that would grant the U.S. Capitol Police Board the authority to take actions against unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Section 1: Purpose and Short Title
The Act’s purpose is to “authorize the use of technologies and tactics to mitigate threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems, while ensuring safety and respect for civil liberties.”
Short title; effective date.
SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE; EFFECTIVE DATE
(a) Short Title—This Act may be cited as the “USCP Empowerment Act of 2025.”
Section 2: Definitions
The Act defines key terms, including:
- Appropriate congressional committees
- Covered Capitol Police facility or asset
- Electronic communication; intercept; oral communication; wire communication
- Unmanned aircraft system
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS
(a) Appropriate congressional committees.—The term “appropriate congressional committees” means the following:
- The Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives.
- The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.
Section 3: Authorization of Certain Activities
The Act authorizes the U.S. Capitol Police Board to take certain actions, including:
- Intercepting electronic communications
- Intercepting oral communications
- Intercepting wire communications
- Disrupting UAS operations
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
(a) Electronic communication; intercept.—The term “electronic communication” means any type of communication that is sent by radio, computer, or other device to an individual’s telephonic instrument.
Section 4: Limitations on Liability
The Act limits the liability of the U.S. Capitol Police Board and its officers in connection with actions taken under this section.
SEC. 4. LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY
(a) Limitation on liability.—No action against the United States, the District of Columbia, or any officer or employee thereof arising out of the exercise by a law enforcement officer of authority provided in subsection (b) shall be preferred over any civil action so brought by an individual aggrieved under section 1983 of Title 18, United States Code.
Section 5: Effective Date
The Act takes effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
(a) In general.—This section shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment.
Section 6: Report to Congress
The Act requires the Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Board to provide regular reports to Congress on the activities of the board under this section.
SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS
(a) Reports to appropriate congressional committees.—The chief of the Capitol Police shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the activities of the Capitol Police Board under this section.
Section 7: Unclassified Form
The reports required by this section must be in unclassified form, but may be accompanied by an additional classified annex.
SEC. 7. UNCLASSIFIED FORM
(a) Report to appropriate congressional committees.—The chief of the Capitol Police shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the activities of the Capitol Police Board under this section.
Section 8: Rules of Construction
The Act specifies rules of construction regarding its provisions.
SEC. 8. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
(a) No delegation.—Nothing in this Act may be construed to delegate authority from the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Section 9: Termination
The authority granted under this section terminates on the date identified in section 210G(i) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124n).
SEC. 9. TERMINATION
(a) Effective date.—The authority to carry out this section with respect to a covered Capitol Police facility or asset shall terminate on the date identified in section 210G(i) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124n).
Section 10: Scope of Authority
The Act specifies that the U.S. Capitol Police Board may not operate any other program to mitigate a credible threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system other than the program under this section.
SEC. 10. SCOPE OF AUTHORITY
(a) General rule.—The authority to carry out this section with respect to a covered Capitol Police facility or asset shall not be exercised for any purpose other than—
- To prevent, mitigate, or respond to the immediate threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system.
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