Rep. Sean Maloney (D-NY) reportedly used an aerial drone to capture images from his wedding to his long-time same-sex partner last month — and the GOP is not at all happy about it.
The New York Daily News reported on Monday that Maloney had used a small drone to shoot video at his wedding in Cold Spring, N.Y. But the News also said that federal regulations prohibit the commercial use of drones like the one that he and partner Randy Florke used.
The National Republican Congressional Committee labeled Maloney’s actions as a “stunning disregard for FAA rules regarding drone use.” Maloney’s seat is rated as “Lean Democratic” by the Cook Political Report.
According to the News, Maloney, who sits on the House Infrastructure and Transportation Commitee, appeared aware that his wedding plans might not be totally in line with federal regulations. His office declined to comment.
“Sean Patrick Maloney has just made the statement to every voter in the Hudson Valley that he thinks the rules don’t apply to him,” NRCC spokesman Ian Prior said in a statement on Tuesday. “If Maloney can’t follow the rules of the very agency he helps oversee while serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, perhaps he shouldn’t be on that committee – or in Congress.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) both attended Maloney’s wedding. “Apparently neither… felt the need to do anything about it,” the NRCC lamented.
