Lawmakers say Pentagon reportedly used laser to shoot CBP drone, FAA shut down airspace near El Paso

UPDATE - The FAA provided the following statement to ABC-7 on the TFR for Fort Hancock:

"A temporary flight restriction (TFR) was already in place around the Fort Hancock area. The TFR has been expanded to include a greater radius to ensure safety. Because of the location of the TFR, it does not impact commercial flights."

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction covering the Fort Hancock area in Hudspeth County immediately adjacent to the border with Mexico.

The FAA website notes the restrictions went into place just after 4:30 p.m. Mountain time on Thursday, and lists it as in place through June due to "Special Security Reasons."

The restriction includes the following Operating Restrictions and Requirements:

"No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described).
EXCLUDING MEXICAN AIRSPACE. ALL ACFT OPS ARE PROHIBITED. EXIGENT ACFT OPS SUCH AS MEDEVAC/AIR AMBULANCE FLIGHTS OR SEARCH AND RESCUE CAN CONTACT ALBUQUERQUE CENTER" with contact instructions to coordinate with the Joint Task Force - Southern Border on entry into the restricted airspace.

Regional and national lawmakers posted reactions Thursday night to the flight restrictions. Democrats on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure posted a joint statement from Rep. Rick Larsen (D - Washington), Rep. Bennie Thompson (D - Mississippi) and Rep. Andre Carson (D - Indiana) on X.com:

"Ranking Members Larsen, Thompson and Carson Statement After DOD Reportedly Shot Down CBP Drone

"Our heads are exploding over the news that DoD reportedly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone using a high risk counter-unmanned aircraft system. We said MONTHS ago that the White House's decision to sidestep a bipartisan, tri-committee bill to appropriately train C-UAS operators and address the lack of coordination between the Pentagon, DHS and the FAA was a short-sighted idea. Now, we're seeing the result of its incompetence."

In a separate post on X, State Sen. Cesar Blanco (D - Texas) posted the following:

"Our office is aware of reports that the FAA closed airspace near Fort Hancock following the reported use of an anti-drone laser system. We are actively gathering information to understand what occurred and ensure our community’s safety.

"We will provide further updates as more details become available. #txlege @FAANews"

ABC-7 has reached out to the Department of War, FAA, the Department of Homeland Security as well as Customs and Border Protection for more information.