The House narrowly missed passing a bipartisan aviation safety bill that previously received unanimous support in the Senate. The proposal aimed to mandate advanced location tracking technology, known as ADS-B In, on most aircraft, which the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) asserts could have averted the tragic midair collision in January 2025 involving an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight, killing 67 people.
Despite backing from the collision victims’ families, labor groups, and NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the bill faced significant resistance in the House, particularly from influential Republican committee leaders. The ROTOR Act’s rejection marks a notable victory for Transportation Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.), who champions smaller private aircraft and promoted the competing ALERT Act. Although Graves claims his legislation meets all 50 NTSB recommendations, it lacks the ADS-B In requirement, a point of contention for the NTSB and affected families.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who spearheaded the ROTOR Act, remain optimistic, viewing the House vote loss as a “temporary delay” and predicting eventual legislative success. The victims’ families urge House leadership to revisit the bill, though approval seems doubtful with Speaker Mike Johnson and other key leaders opposing it.