Lee Introduces Bill to Let National Guard Counter Drones

The Guard the Skies Act would authorize National Guard units to counter unmanned aerial system threats, working with state governors.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Terrorism

Isometric editorial illustration of a tall radar dish on a lattice mast beneath a small drone against a pale sky, in muted slate and cream. — Senator Mike Lee introduced the Guard the Skies Act, which would authorize National Guard units to counter drone threats in coordination with state governors. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the National Guard be authorized to stop drone threats over major events?

Senator Mike Lee introduced the Guard the Skies Act, which would authorize the National Guard to counter threats from unmanned aerial systems. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) introduced companion legislation in the House.

Why it matters

The National Guard is currently not authorized to jam, intercept, or down drone threats, a gap the bill aims to close. Because the Guard acts under state governors' control, the measure would let local authorities address complex airspace threats with federal support.

The Guard the Skies Act was introduced in the Senate by Mike Lee and in the House by Michael McCaul (R-TX) and has not been enacted. The source does not indicate any committee action or scheduled vote on the legislation.

The players

Mike Lee

Mike Lee is a Republican U.S. Senator from Utah who introduced the Guard the Skies Act in the Senate.

Michael McCaul

Michael McCaul is a Republican U.S. Representative from Texas who introduced the companion Guard the Skies Act in the House.

The details

The Guard the Skies Act grants the National Guard authority to counter unmanned aerial system threats, acting under the direction and control of state governors. The legislation is intended to address limits in current federal capacity, as agencies with counter-UAS authority are spread too thin and state and local law enforcement lack the resources to cover all major threats.

November 14, 2026: Senator Mike Lee introduces the Guard the Skies Act.
FY26: The National Defense Authorization Act includes the Safer Skies Act, devolving certain counter-UAS authority to state and local law enforcement.
2034: Salt Lake City, Utah hosts the Winter Olympics, a major event the bill's protections would apply to if enacted.

Legal Context

The bill extends the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act's Safer Skies Act, which devolved certain counter-UAS authority to state and local law enforcement. Adding the National Guard would address a gap that federal agencies, already spread too thin, have not covered.

If enacted, the bill would let the National Guard support state governors in countering drone threats at major events and sites. Residents near large gatherings or critical infrastructure could see added airspace security measures.

The takeaway

Drone security is becoming a shared responsibility across federal, state, and local authorities. Watching how the Guard the Skies Act moves through Congress will show how that responsibility is divided.