"A bill has passed in the House and Senate this week that would allow the presence of drones in U.S. civilian airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act requires the FAA to alleviate many current rules on domestic drone authorization. Drones would now be able to fly in the same airspace as commercial airliners, private planes, and cargo jets. Up to 30,000 drones could be allowed in U.S. airspace by the end of the decade.
"The Senate passed the bill on Monday, 75-20 and allots $63.4 billion to the FAA. President Obama is expected to sign it into law."
https://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/02/09-6