AUVSI Statement on the Reintroduction of the Drones for First Responders Act

June 5, 2025

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) applauds the reintroduction of the Drones for First Responders (DFR) Act and commends Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) for her leadership in advancing this critical legislation.

America’s overreliance on drones manufactured in adversarial nations, most notably the People’s Republic of China (PRC), poses a growing threat to national security and supply chain resilience. This is a strategic vulnerability that impacts not only national security but also will negatively impact public safety, economic resilience, and technological leadership if we do not act.

The DFR Act takes a multi-pronged approach to addressing this challenge. It incentivizes a shift away from adversary-supplied drones by imposing phased tariffs, while simultaneously using those revenues to fund a grant program that helps first responders, critical infrastructure operators, and farmers access secure, domestically sourced or allied-origin systems.

AUVSI CEO Michael Robbins said, “The DFR Act is a reasonable, strategic step toward reducing dependence on adversarial suppliers, without pulling the plug overnight on investments made into drone technology. This legislation delivers a smart, enforceable, timely incentive structure to strengthen our industrial base, enhance public safety, and ensure that our first responders, farmers, and infrastructure operators aren’t forced to choose between capability and security. Congress must act with urgency to pass the DFR Act and follow through with broader, sustained investment in secure, U.S.-aligned drone manufacturing.”

AUVSI urges Congress to act swiftly to pass the DFR Act and to build upon its momentum with broader procurement, certification, and acquisition reforms that will unlock scalable growth for the U.S. and allied drone industry. We must replace complacency with commitment and take deliberate steps to ensure U.S. and allied leadership in the uncrewed systems domain.

Read the full text of the bill here.