Bill > S1762

This bill, known as the Nuclear Ecosystem Drone Defense Act of 2025 (NEDD Act), expands the Secretary of Energy's authority regarding unmanned aircraft systems (drones) from foreign entities. Specifically, the bill exempts the Secretary of Energy from existing prohibitions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 that restrict procurement, operation, and federal funding of drones from certain foreign entities. The bill also grants the Secretary of Energy additional powers to determine the usage of classified tracking for these drones and provides an accounting exception. Furthermore, the bill broadens the Secretary's authority to protect nuclear facilities and assets, extending protection to facilities owned or contracted by the United States that are involved in storing, transporting, or using special nuclear material, or researching, designing, manufacturing, or producing non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons. These changes aim to enhance the Department of Energy's flexibility and capability in managing drone-related security risks in the nuclear sector.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1762/all-info