Ted Poe: “For years, the United States has used drones to track terrorists overseas, catch outlaws along the border and other…”

“For years, the United States has used drones to track terrorists overseas, catch outlaws along the border and other lawful purposes--but now, thousands of drones are heading to the homeland. The FAA plans to allow the expanded use of drones to operate nationwide by the year 2015. It is estimated, by 2020, 30,000 of them will be flying in American skies. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the drones are coming. Who will operate these drones, and what will be their mission? Could it be a suspicious government agent who thinks someone looks kind of funny? The EPA bureaucrat to monitor somebody's farm and watch Bessie the cow graze in the pasture? Or a nosy neighbor who wants to make sure someone's shutters are pretty and the flowers don't violate the homeowners' association rules? Or could it be a legitimate and lawful and legal purpose of drones that doesn't violate the right of privacy? These are the kinds of situations Americans face as we enter this uncharted and unprecedented world of drone technology. Congress has the legal obligation to ensure that the Fourth Amendment rights of private citizens are protected in this new ``drone world.'' You see, Mr. Speaker, the Fourth Amendment says this: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated.…”