Senate Democrat Calls for Probe Into Texas Drone Incidents

Duckworth seeks investigation into government's use of high-energy lasers in anti-drone technology after airspace closures.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:22pm

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Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), the ranking member on the Senate's Aviation Subcommittee, is calling for an investigation into the government's use of high-energy lasers in anti-drone technology following two incidents in Texas last month that led to airspace closures. Duckworth asked the inspectors general for the departments of Transportation, Defense and Homeland Security to conduct a joint probe into potential issues with interagency coordination, policymaking and management related to counter-drone systems.

Why it matters

The incidents in Texas, where the U.S. military shot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone with a laser and CBP officials used a laser system to shoot down objects later determined to be party balloons, have raised concerns about the use of counter-drone technology and its impact on civilian, commercial and medical air operations.

The details

On Feb. 26, the U.S. military shot down a CBP drone with a laser, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to temporarily restrict airspace around Fort Hancock, Texas. Less than ten days later, the FAA closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, after CBP officials used the laser system to shoot down objects that were later determined to be party balloons. The closure was initially supposed to last 10 days but was lifted after eight hours, fueling questions about the decision-making process.

  • On February 26, 2026, the U.S. military shot down a CBP drone with a laser.
  • Less than ten days later, on March 6, 2026, the FAA closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, after CBP officials used the laser system to shoot down objects later determined to be party balloons.

The players

Sen. Tammy Duckworth

A Democratic senator from Illinois and the ranking member on the Senate's Aviation Subcommittee.

U.S. Military

Responsible for shooting down the CBP drone with a laser in Texas.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Used a laser system to shoot down objects later determined to be party balloons, leading to an airspace closure in El Paso, Texas.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Temporarily restricted airspace around Fort Hancock, Texas, after the U.S. military shot down a CBP drone with a laser, and closed the airspace over El Paso, Texas, after CBP officials used the laser system.

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What they’re saying

“Reports detailing communication between DoD and FAA leading up to these incidents and decisions to close the airspace in Texas show a concerning lack of coordination.”

— Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Ranking Member, Senate Aviation Subcommittee

“We appreciate the coordination with the Department of War to help ensure public safety. The FAA and DOW are working with interagency partners to address emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems while maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System.”

— FAA

What’s next

The inspectors general for the departments of Transportation, Defense and Homeland Security will conduct a joint probe into the government's use of high-energy lasers in anti-drone technology and the incidents in Texas.

The takeaway

The incidents in Texas have raised concerns about the coordination and decision-making process surrounding the use of counter-drone technology, and the potential impact on civilian, commercial and medical air operations. The investigation will aim to address these concerns and ensure the safe and responsible use of such technology.