IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1620 

Calling on law enforcement led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 

the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration to provide an immediate briefing to the public on the current 

drone situation in New Jersey and New York. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 18, 2024 

Mr. GOTTHEIMER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on 

Transportation and Infrastructure, and Homeland Security, for a period 

to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 

concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Calling on law enforcement led by the Federal Bureau of 

Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, 

and the Federal Aviation Administration to provide an 

immediate briefing to the public on the current drone 

situation in New Jersey and New York. 

Whereas weeks before Thanksgiving, New Jersey residents 

began seeing unidentified drones flying in the sky; 

Whereas residents in at least 10 counties across New Jersey 

have reported seeing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) 

(commonly referred to as ‘‘drones’’) and other drone-like 

objects; 


ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 1620 IH 

Whereas some reports by witnesses have even suggested that 

these drones were the size of small cars or planes; 

Whereas, on December 8, 2024, there were a reported 49 

sightings in one night in New Jersey; 

Whereas, as of September 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration registered an estimated 1,700,000 unmanned 

aircraft systems, with more than 70 percent being reportedly used for recreational uses; 

Whereas while technology and drones can provide many positive benefits to our businesses and economy, they can 

also be used for nefarious purposes, including providing 

new capabilities for criminals, including terrorists; 

Whereas, on November 26, 2024, drones flying near a landing zone prevented a medical helicopter from picking up 

a person injured in a car crash in Somerset County, New 

Jersey; 

Whereas, in 2019, a drone was spotted 3,500 feet over 

Teterboro Airport, halting Newark Airport traffic; 

Whereas drones and other UAS have been spotted at 

Picatinny Arsenal and Round Valley Reservoir, the largest in New Jersey and a critical part of the State’s water 

supply; 

Whereas, on December 13, 2024, Stewart Airport in Orange 

County, New York, which is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, was shut down due 

to a drone sighting; and 

Whereas drones and other unidentified objects have been 

spotted in other States, such as New York, and Maryland: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 1620 IH 

1 (1) recognizes the work and duty of State and 

2 local law enforcement in responding to the public; 

3 (2) calls on the Federal Bureau of Investiga4 tion, the Department of Homeland Security, and the 

5 Federal Aviation Authority to be transparent and 

6 provide information to the public where possible; 

7 (3) calls on the Federal Bureau of Investiga8 tion, the Department of Homeland Security, and the 

9 Federal Aviation Authority to provide an immediate 

10 briefing to the public on the current drone situation 

11 in New Jersey; 

12 (4) calls on Federal law enforcement agencies, 

13 led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the De14 partment of Homeland Security, and the Federal 

15 Aviation Authority, to work closely with State and 

16 local law enforcement to deploy assets that can take 

17 down unauthorized drones; and 

18 (5) calls on the Federal Bureau of Investiga19 tion, the Department of Homeland Security, and the 

20 Federal Aviation Authority to evaluate whether addi21 tional security measures are necessary to protect 

22 critical sites from potential drone-related threats. 

Æ 


ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS