Senator Rick Scott Urges Stronger U.S. Drone Policy at AUVSI Symposium
Focus on National Security, Domestic Manufacturing, and Industry Engagement
At the 2025 AUVSI Drone and AAM Policy Symposium in Washington, D.C., Senator Rick Scott delivered the opening remarks for the second day of the event, emphasizing the urgent need to advance U.S. drone policy in response to growing national security concerns. Hosted by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, the annual conference convenes government leaders and industry stakeholders to shape the future of drone and advanced air mobility integration in the national airspace.
A Policy Evolution: From Privacy to Security
Senator Scott’s views on unmanned aircraft systems have shifted markedly over the last decade. As governor of Florida in 2013, his early focus was on safeguarding personal privacy. He signed the state’s first drone privacy law, limiting the use of drones by law enforcement without a warrant or imminent threat. These measures reflected a broader concern about government overreach and civil liberties.
Upon entering the U.S. Senate, Scott redirected his attention to the national security implications of foreign-manufactured drone systems—particularly those produced by Chinese companies. Beginning in 2019, he introduced legislation such as the American Security Drone Act to prohibit federal procurement of drones from adversarial nations, citing concerns over espionage and data integrity.
In recent years, Scott has taken an even more assertive stance. He introduced the Drones for America Act, which seeks to phase out Chinese-manufactured drones and components from the U.S. market entirely by 2031. His policy agenda now includes broader efforts to strengthen the domestic drone supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign technology across both public and private sectors.
A Call to Action for US Industry
Senator Scott used his platform at the symposium to call on American drone manufacturers and technology providers to take a more active role in public policy. Drawing from his extensive experience in domestic manufacturing, he emphasized the importance of building a robust U.S. drone industry capable of meeting national and commercial demands.
Scott stated that minimizing unnecessary government interference would allow businesses to innovate and grow. However, he warned that the continued import of drones and critical infrastructure components from China poses a significant risk to U.S. national interests. He questioned the logic of allowing foreign-controlled technologies into sensitive markets such as logistics, defense, and critical infrastructure.
He also highlighted the role of corporate lobbying in delaying policy reform, noting that efforts to limit the use of foreign-manufactured drones in federal operations met resistance due to strong lobbying by foreign suppliers. Scott stressed the need for U.S. companies to engage in the political process more directly, encouraging attendees to meet with lawmakers and involve their employees in advocacy efforts.
Framing Drone Policy as a National Security Imperative
In his remarks, Senator Scott rejected the idea that drone policy should be viewed through a partisan lens. Instead, he framed the issue as a matter of national security, deserving bipartisan support and urgent attention. He expressed optimism about the country’s ability to meet these challenges, citing American ingenuity and the entrepreneurial spirit that attracts global talent.
While acknowledging the complexity of implementing comprehensive drone policy reform, Scott remained confident that the U.S. is well-positioned to lead the global drone industry—if the right policy and investment frameworks are in place.
As drone technology continues to evolve and play an increasingly prominent role in areas ranging from public safety to infrastructure inspection and defense, Senator Scott’s message was clear: building secure, domestically sourced drone capabilities is essential to maintaining U.S. leadership and safeguarding national interests.
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