Texas Congressman Warns of Growing Drone Threat to Airports Nationwide

Rep. Tony Gonzales says the U.S. must act quickly to give airports the ability to shoot down drones with lasers

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-23rd District, says the United States is falling behind in its ability to counter the growing threat of drones intruding on airport airspace across the country, including at El Paso International Airport. Gonzales argues that every airport should have the capability to down drones with lasers, stating "the fact that we don't, as a country, we are behind the power curve. And these threats are real."

Why it matters

The recent closure of El Paso International Airport due to military testing of anti-drone laser technology has highlighted the vulnerability of U.S. airports to drone incursions. Gonzales believes this issue must be addressed urgently to ensure the safety of air travel nationwide.

The details

Congressman Gonzales says the military, the FAA, and the Department of Homeland Security must all coordinate better to counter the drone threat. He envisions a future where every airport in the country has the ability to shoot down drones with lasers, arguing "the fact that we don't, as a country, we are behind the power curve. And these threats are real. These threats are happening all over the world."

  • On February 13, 2026, El Paso International Airport was suddenly closed due to military testing of anti-drone laser technology.

The players

Tony Gonzales

A U.S. Representative from Texas's 23rd congressional district who is calling for urgent action to address the growing threat of drones at airports across the country.

El Paso International Airport

An airport in Texas that was recently forced to close due to military testing of anti-drone laser technology, highlighting the vulnerability of U.S. airports to drone incursions.

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What they’re saying

“This should have been better coordinated. We have to do a better job of that especially as we work towards countering these drones that are intruding in our airspace on a daily basis and are a growing threat to all airports across the country.”

— Tony Gonzales, U.S. Representative (kens5.com)

“To be frank, we should already have that capability now. The fact that we don't, as a country, we are behind the power curve. And these threats are real. These threats are happening all over the world. Anyone can basically buy a drone at Best Buy, arm it with some sort of material and cause damage.”

— Tony Gonzales, U.S. Representative (kens5.com)

What’s next

Congressman Gonzales says the military, FAA, and Department of Homeland Security must coordinate better to address the drone threat, and he envisions a future where all U.S. airports have the capability to shoot down drones with lasers.

The takeaway

This incident in El Paso highlights the growing vulnerability of U.S. airports to drone incursions, and the urgent need for the government to invest in counter-drone technologies and improve coordination between military, aviation, and homeland security agencies to protect the nation's critical air travel infrastructure.