Yoho Wants Increased Oversight of Armed Drones

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL-03) re-introduced the Drone Reform Act – H.R. 2569, which will consolidate all authority to use armed drones – currently spread across multiple agencies – solely under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense.This legislation will increase transparency and oversight of America’s armed drone program by expanding congressional committee jurisdiction, as well as providing clarity in the funding and legality of the program. Congressman Yoho gave the following statement:

“America’s weaponized drone program should not be done in secret. A militarized drone should not be under the jurisdiction of any agency other than the Department of Defense (DOD). The Drone Reform Act will centralize authority, increase transparency by removing the veil of secrecy, and increase congressional oversight. This is similar to a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission in 2002 which has never been enacted.

“Our top military officials have been pressing for permission to publicly defend U.S. drone strikes in order to address criticism at home and abroad. My bill will help make their requests a reality.

“Currently, certain agencies use covert strikes that cannot be discussed publicly. This cloak of secrecy enables terrorists and foreign governments to spread misinformation and false propaganda about the U.S. drone program, which creates more enemies and extremists. With greater transparency, accountability, and centralized authority, the DOD will be able to clarify and defend drone strikes by releasing statistics and public statements, as well as give testimony before Congress in open hearings. It is my fear that clandestine attacks without Constitutional authorization of war do more harm than good. We have a responsibility to defend our nation. However, we should do it in the light of day with transparency and accountability. The lack of transparency with any program – especially one of this magnitude – is ripe for abuse.

"When the cause is just, we should not hide our attacks under a veil of secrecy and denial. As a Member of Congress and a concerned citizen, it is time to bring this program out from behind the curtain and into the open. We, as a nation, are better than that. In Florida, we say that sunshine is the best disinfectant. Our fight and our cause can and should withstand the light of day. This is the only way to ensure accountability.”

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Congressman Ted Yoho serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. He represents North Florida’s 3rd Congressional District