DHS launches drone-focused office ahead of World Cup, America250 - The Daily Scoop Podcast

The Daily Scoop Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: DHS launches drone-focused office ahead of World Cup, America250
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell
Podcast: The Daily Scoop Podcast (FedScoop)

Overview

This episode focuses on two main topics shaping the federal technology and security landscape:

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) launch of a new office dedicated to unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in preparation for significant upcoming events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary.
Congressional action on the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF), which supports federal IT upgrades, including new funding developments amid legislative and authorization challenges.

Billy Mitchell breaks down the latest initiatives, funding updates, legislative hurdles, and the broader impact on public sector technology and security.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DHS Launches Drone-Focused Office Ahead of Major National Events

[00:35]

Purpose:
- DHS has established a new office to oversee investments in drone and counter-drone technologies, aiming to protect U.S. airspace, borders, infrastructure, and mass events (e.g., FIFA World Cup 2026, America’s 250th anniversary).
Secretary Statement:
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem provided a vision:
  
  “We are entering a new era to defend our air superiority to protect our borders and the interior of the United States. This will help us continue to secure the border and cripple the cartels, protect our infrastructure and keep Americans safe as they attend festivities and events during our historic year of America's 250th birthday and FIFA 2026.”
  — Secretary Kristi Noem [01:01]
Recent Investments & Expansion:
- FEMA recently awarded $250 million in grants for counter-drone capabilities to 11 states hosting FIFA matches and Washington, D.C.
- DHS expanded state and local law enforcement authorization to counter drone threats in December.
- DHS is reviewing industry proposals for a $1.5 billion contract to supply drone defense technologies for Customs and Border Protection and ICE.
Immediate Actions:
- The Program Executive Office (PEO) for unmanned aircraft systems is operational.
- A current $115 million investment in counter technologies is near completion to support upcoming events.
Threat Context:
- Emphasis on rising risks of malicious drone use.
- Since 2018, DHS has conducted over 1,500 missions to address illicit drone activities.

2. Congressional Action on the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF)

[02:40]

Funding Update:
- Congress earmarked $5 million for the TMF in FY2026—much lower than previous funding levels.
- TMF’s previous authorization expired last month, freezing nearly $200 million in ongoing projects.
Legislative Context:
- TMF enjoyed bipartisan support since its 2017 creation.
- Notable supporters included former Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a “staunch advocate,” and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who “led a sustained push.”
- Despite efforts, reauthorization through the National Defense Authorization Act failed, leaving TMF’s authorization lapsed.
Policy Challenge:
- The $5 million, if passed, would technically be “unauthorized funding”—a scenario affecting roughly a third of discretionary appropriations, according to the CBO.
Quote on Reauthorization Priority:
- “A spokesperson for the House oversight committee told FedScoop last month that its reauthorization was a high priority that the Office of Management and Budget also supported.”
  — Billy Mitchell [03:41]
Comparison to Previous Funding:
- The American Rescue Plan in 2021 boosted TMF with $1 billion.
- The latest award before expiration: $28 million to the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration for AI and modernization.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On the security imperative for drones:

“This will help us continue to secure the border and cripple the cartels, protect our infrastructure and keep Americans safe as they attend festivities and events during our historic year…”
— Secretary Kristi Noem [01:08]
On the fiscal state of TMF support:

“The $5 million congressional appropriators carved out for the TMF is a far cry from what the fund had enjoyed since 2021, when President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan injected the program with $1 billion.”
— Billy Mitchell [04:17]

Timeline of Critical Segments

00:35 – 02:40: Launch of the DHS drone office: announcement, investments, quote from Secretary Noem, background on drone threat activity and funding moves.
02:41 – 04:45: Technology Modernization Fund update: current funding, legislative status, quotes from former and current Congressional advocates, policy context, future uncertainties.

Conclusion

This episode provides a succinct, news-driven overview of two major developments in U.S. federal security and technology. DHS ramps up drone defenses ahead of major public events, representing a significant shift in public safety strategy. At the same time, the future of IT modernization across government is in flux as Congress debates the fate and funding of the TMF, a critical resource for digital transformation within federal agencies.

For further details and continuous updates, listeners are encouraged to visit FedScoop.com.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Today on the Daily Scoop Podcast from the Scoop News Group, DHS launches a new drone focused office ahead of the 2026 World cup in America's 250th anniversary and Congress earmarks $5 million for the TMF in fiscal 2026. It's Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. And now let's dive into the day's top headlines. The Department of Homeland Security is launching a new office focused on unmanned aircraft systems that will oversee strategic investments in drone and counter drone technologies. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a Monday press release, quote, we are entering a new era to defend our air superiority to protect our borders and the interior of the United States. This will help us continue to secure the border and cripple the cartels, protect our infrastructure and keep Americans safe as they attend festivities and events during our historic year of America's 250th birthday and FIFA 2026, unquote. The creation of the dedicated office builds on proceeding efforts to beef up drone and counter drone technologies. In December, FEMA awarded $250 million in grants for counter drone capabilities to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at as well as Washington, D.C. dHS also expanded authorization the same month to allow state and local law enforcement to combat drone threats. The Department is also fielding proposals from industry partners for a $1.5 billion contract that will facilitate the procurement of these technologies for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The new Program Executive Office has already begun its work. According to DHS, the drone focused entity is finalizing a $115 million investment in counter technologies that will support upcoming celebrations. The funding and focus come amid heightened risks regarding threat actors use of unmanned aircraft systems. DHS said Monday that the agency has conducted 1,500 plus missions to address illicit drone activities since 2018. Now moving on to other news, calls on Congress to put money into the technology modernization fund may have been answered, albeit at a much lower level than what the General Services Administration run funding vehicle for agency IT projects has been accustomed to. Senate and House Appropriations Committee lawmakers released a package of conference bill Sunday to fund several federal agencies through fiscal year 2026, which ends September 30, including the GSA. Tucked into the 488 page agreement was a note that $5 million would be provided to the TMF to remain available until expended, the appropriations bills must still be passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the president before the funding can take effect. The potential funding comes as the TMF expired last month for the first time since it was created in 2017, freezing nearly $200 million in funding for agency technology projects. The program has enjoyed bipartisan support since its launch nearly a decade ago. Former Representative Gerry Connolly, Democrat of Virginia, was a staunch advocate for the program until his death from cancer last year, while Representative Nancy Mace, Republican of South Carolina, has led a sustained push for for the TMF's reauthorization. The fund has similarly strong backing from civic technologists and industry groups, and a spokesperson for the House oversight committee told FedScoop last month that its reauthorization was a high priority that the Office of Management and Budget also supported. Nevertheless, efforts to get the TMF reauthorized through the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization act didn't pan out, leaving the program out in the cold. As such, if the appropriations bill is passed in the near term, with the TMF still lacking a new authorization, the funding would be considered unauthorized, a common occurrence in modern government funding, with nearly a third of discretionary federal appropriations in fiscal 2025 going to programs whose authorizations had expired, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Press offices for Congressional appropriators didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. The $5 million congressional appropriators carved out for the TMF is a far cry from what the fund had enjoyed since 2021, when President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan injected the program with $1 billion. The fund announced last month as its authorization was expiring, that it would dole out $28 million to the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration for AI and modernization projects. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com.