DJI avoids nationwide ban as U.S. Senate omits Countering CCP Drones Act

The U.S. Senate omits the Countering CCP Drones Act in its NDAA FY25, sparing DJI from a nationwide ban for now.

: The U.S. Senate version of the NDAA FY25 does not include the Countering CCP Drones Act, sparing DJI from a nationwide ban. Over 6,000 public safety agencies opposed the ban in a joint letter to the Senate committee. However, the full Senate still needs to vote, and negotiations between House and Senate committees remain. The issue reflects a partisan divide, with Republicans supporting the ban and Democrats sidelining it temporarily.

The U.S. Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2025 (NDAA FY25) has omitted the Countering CCP Drones Act, providing a temporary reprieve for Chinese drone maker DJI from a potential nationwide ban. This comes as a result of significant backlash from over 6,000 public safety agencies who sent a joint letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee, citing the essential nature of DJI's affordable and capable drones for their operations.

While the omission of the controversial drone ban is a victory for DJI, it is not yet final. The full Senate still needs to vote on its version of the NDAA FY25, and the reconciliations between the House and Senate Armed Services Committees will be necessary to finalize the details. The division over this issue also highlights the partisan split, with Republicans pushing the ban and the Democrat-controlled Senate choosing to set it aside for the time being.

Recreational drone pilots also expressed concerns about the broader implications of the Countering CCP Drones Act, especially given the restrictions already imposed by the American Security Drone Act (ASDA) in 2024. These existing restrictions prohibited drones from certain entities, including China, for federal agency use and on federal properties, complicating everyday drone operations. President Biden has indicated a willingness to veto House-approved elements that could be considered "culture war issues," potentially including this drone controversy.