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Gov. Hochul Demands Federal Intervention After Drone Activity Shuts Down Stewart International Airport

Dec 14, 2024, 06:17 PM

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has demanded federal intervention following a series of drone sightings that led to the temporary closure of Stewart International Airport in Orange County. The runways were shut down for approximately an hour on Friday night due to reported drone activity in the airspace, prompting Hochul to call for more robust drone regulations and enforcement. Hochul has urged Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act to strengthen the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of drones and extend counter-UAS activities to state and local law enforcement. Despite assurances from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security that the drones do not pose a national security threat, Hochul emphasized the need for federal law enforcement to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure and the public. The issue has also seen involvement from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York Senators, who have called for federal resources to investigate the mysterious drone sightings across the Northeast.