Families, Safety Advocates, Air Traffic Controllers, Pilots, Flight Attendants, Airports, Regional Airlines & Others Push for House Passage of ROTOR Act

Sen. Cantwell: "For 20 years the NTSB has been recommending that aircraft be equipped with ADSB-In. The bipartisan ROTOR Act requires it. The House needs to pass the ROTOR Act now and honor the 67 lives lost on Jan. 29, 2025. And we are definitely doing further reforms."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) release of its final report on the deadly midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 that killed 67 people, the House will vote this afternoon on bipartisan legislation that would close critical safety gaps identified by investigators and implement key NTSB safety recommendations. Passed unanimously by the Senate in December 2025, the ROTOR Act would require aircraft required to have ADS-B Out to operate in busier airspace to have safety-enhancing ADS-B In location technology and require the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct safety reviews of congested airspace at airports across the country.

On February 12, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy testified before the Senate Commerce Committee about the report's findings and underscored that the fatal crash could have been prevented had the ROTOR Act been law at the time.

NTSB found that existing collision avoidance systems - known as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II - were not enough to prevent this tragedy. NTSB found that if American Airlines flight 5342 aircraft had been equipped with safety-enhancing ADS-B In, the pilots could have been alerted to the helicopter traffic around them 59 seconds before the collision as opposed to the traffic warning the pilots got 19 seconds before the collision via TCAS II.

"We've issued safety recommendations like ADS-B In, over and over and over again, aimed at preventing just these kinds of collisions. Recommendations that have been rejected, sidelined or just plain ignored," Homendy said. The ROTOR Act decisively implements NTSB's key recommendation on ADS-B In and has the support of NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy.

Here is what others have been saying about the ROTOR Act:

The Families of Flight 5342:

"Congress should act now. Pass the ROTOR Act and then continue the urgent work of closing the remaining safety gaps - before another family is forced to learn, as we did, that waiting carries consequences measured in lives."

Tim and Sheri Lilley, whose son, Sam, was the First Officer of Flight 5342:

"We are deeply appreciative of the bipartisan effort that led to today's Senate passage of the ROTOR Act. We are grateful for the leadership and tireless efforts of Senators Cruz and Cantwell to achieve this important milestone. We thank President Trump for his support of aviation safety and for recognizing the urgency of this moment. With this important action, Senators across the aisle honored the 67 lives lost on January 29, including our son Sam. While no legislation can bring Sam back, today's action acknowledges the magnitude of that loss and affirms that meaningful change can come from it. We urge the House to act promptly and ensure these safety measures advance without delay. The flying public and all who rely on our national airspace deserve nothing less."

AFL-CIO, ALPA, AFA, IAM, TTD, TWU Joint Letter:

"The Potomac Mid-Air Collision is the deadliest U.S. airspace accident in more than 20 years. The loss experienced by the passengers, the crew, and their families cannot be legislated. But this crash was predictable and preventable, and the only way to avoid another recurrence and honor the lives of those lost is to implement the ROTOR Act and its clearly delineated performance standards for ADS-B In as well as the remaining NTSB recommendations."

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA):

"The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is grateful for the Senate's unanimous passage of the ROTOR Act. We thank Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell for their leadership to address the critical safety issues identified in the aftermath of the mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025, which tragically resulted in the loss of 67 lives. The ROTOR Act will enhance safety for commercial, general aviation, and military aircraft, as well as for aircraft crews, passengers, and citizens on the ground. "

Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA):

"While we appreciate the introduction of the bipartisan Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 or the 'ALERT Act', which moves to implement many important recommendations contained in the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) final report, this legislation regretfully falls short by not implementing a critical NTSB recommendation to require the installation of ADS-B In technology on aircraft known as Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI). Put simply, at the core of the post-accident NTSB report is a requirement that all commercial aircraft be equipped with ADS-B In with a flightdeck display of traffic information that is integrated to provide alerts to pilots. This bill likely will not mandate such life-saving technology for an expansive portion of aircraft operating into dense commercial airports. We have the data and the verdict is clear: no more exceptions. The ROTOR Act got it right on ADS-B In. Every aircraft required to broadcast ADS-B Out should have ADS-B In integrated into the flight deck for pilot use. Congress has an obligation to honor the memory of those lost a year ago with action now. ALPA strongly supports the bipartisan ROTOR Act and calls on the House to pass it without delay. We look forward to working with the House to refine their bill and fully implement all of the NTSB recommendations."

Allied Pilots Association (APA) - American Airlines pilots:

"On behalf of the 16,000 pilots of American Airlines, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) expresses our support for the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act. This critical legislation is a long-overdue step toward modernizing our national airspace and ensuring the safety of every pilot, passenger, and crew member. The tragic midair collision on Jan. 29, 2025, involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter underscored a dangerous gap in our aviation infrastructure. To prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again, we must move beyond outdated systems and embrace the precision of ADS-B In technology. While the FAA currently requires ADS-B Out in certain airspaces, the ROTOR Act rightfully mandates that all aircraft already equipped with ADS-B Out must also carry ADS-B In by December 31, 2031. Unlike radar, ADS-B In allows pilots to receive data directly from surrounding aircraft, providing a comprehensive picture of nearby traffic on flight deck displays. To that degree, ADS-B In technology needs to be integrated into all Part 121 aircraft as in-panel display and connected to the flight management system, validating the NTSB findings and recommendations. APA remains dedicated to working alongside Congress in advancing both pieces of legislation and reinforcing a culture where safety is never compromised for the sake of profit and where the expertise of professional pilots remains central to federal oversight."

Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) - American Airlines flight attendants:

"APFA urges the swift passage of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This critical bill modernizes our airspace and strengthens safety for every passenger and crewmember by requiring precision location technology known as "ADS-B In" on all aircraft operating in congested airspaces such as DCA. This anti-collision technology is critical to increasing controllers and pilots' situational awareness and preventing midair collisions. Thank you, Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell, for your efforts that successfully passed this bill in the U.S. Senate."

Transportation Trades Department (TTD)- AFL-CIO:

"As America's largest transportation labor federation, we welcome Senate passage of the bipartisan ROTOR Act, which would preserve air safety provisions implemented after the tragic January mid-air collision & implement additional safety measures. We urge the House to follow suit."

Airlines for America (A4A):

"The safety of our passengers and crews is always airlines' top priority, and we appreciate the work of Senators Cruz and Cantwell to improve aviation safety. We applaud the Senate's action to codify and preserve the MOU between DOD and DOT to protect the airspace around DCA. We look forward to continuing our ongoing collaboration with lawmakers to improve aviation safety as the process moves to the House of Representatives to ensure our national airspace is the safest in the world."

American Airlines:

"We continue to mourn the lives lost in the tragic accident involving Flight 5342. We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Cruz and Cantwell, and other Senators and Secretary Duffy to get the ROTOR Act passed in the Senate. American Airlines urges the House to act expeditiously to make aviation and our national airspace even safer.

Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA)

"While we cannot undo the past, we have a solemn responsibility to learn from every accident and implement the changes necessary to prevent future tragedies. Passage of the ALERT Act, alongside the ROTOR Act, will honor the lives lost in the DCA midair collision by driving tangible, lasting improvements to aviation safety. SWAPA urges Congress to act swiftly and pass both the ALERT Act and the ROTOR Act to ensure our aviation system remains the safest in the world."

The Boeing Company:

"Thank you for your ongoing efforts to strengthen aviation safety and to respond to the tragic accident that occurred earlier this year over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport. The Boeing Company supports the goals and objectives of the bipartisan Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act as drafted, and we appreciate you and your staff's diligent work to develop the right approach and requirements to meet the important goals of this legislation."

Mayor of Washington D.C. Muriel Bowser:

"The ROTOR Act marks a critical step toward making Washington, DC's airspace safer and more transparent. I want to thank Senators Cruz, Cantwell, Moran, and Duckworth for their leadership in securing unanimous Senate support for this legislation-which directly addresses the safety concerns raised by the tragic mid-air collision over the Potomac. There is more work to be done, but this bill lays a strong foundation for preventing future tragedies. I urge the House to act swiftly and pass the ROTOR Act."

Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA)

"ACI-NA appreciates the bipartisan leadership Senators Cruz and Cantwell have shown in response to the January tragedy in Washington, DC. The ROTOR Act is a welcome step for airports as it supports safer, more efficient airspace management in our skies, bolstering aviation safety across the country. It strengthens safety oversight and transparency in aircraft operations at and around airports nationwide, while also promoting better coordination between aircraft operators, the FAA, the Department of Defense, airports, and others."

Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA)

"The Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association supports Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell for their leadership on the ROTOR Act which enhances aviation safety while enabling aircraft to operate efficiently in our ever-changing national airspace. The legislation creates a fundamental advancement for our industry by improving safety standards, advancing innovation, and supporting a next generation airspace system. RACCA and its members all across the country and region are committed to delivering dependable air cargo services for our valued customers while supporting a highly-trained workforce and providing essential connections to the communities we serve."

Statement from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy:

"I'm grateful to Senator Cruz, Senator Cantwell, Senator Moran, and other Senate leaders for passing the ROTOR Act, which will increase communication protocol between aircraft. Since the horrific tragedy in January, the FAA & USDOT have taken a number of steps -including eliminating helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic near DCA- to make the skies above our nation's capital safer. This important legislation is built on that progress and we look forward to working with Congress to make our airspace the envy of the world."

Regional Airline Association (RAA)

"RAA welcomes the amended ROTOR act as a strong indicator of Senators Cruz and Cantwell's commitment to advancing aviation safety. RAA particularly applauds the elimination of the loophole allowing military aircraft to operate without Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) Out transmitting. Our members operate at 95% of our nation's airports - taking off and landing at more airports and in more classes of airspace than any commercial airline sector. The ROTOR act takes an important step in requiring a comprehensive safety review of DCA and all major and mid-size airports to assess how mixed traffic impacts commercial operations and to prevent future incidents. RAA urges the Committee to extend this study to all U.S. airports with a substantial mix of commercial, GA, business and military traffic."

Reliable Robotics

"Our company is committed to leveraging technology to enhance aviation safety, and we are proud to support the ROTOR Act. Reliable Robotics was founded in 2017 to develop and bring to market aviation safety-enhancing technologies, including auto-taxi, auto-takeoff, and auto-land as well as high-integrity navigation and aircraft autonomy. These technologies will prevent the most common causes of fatal aviation accidents and save lives. Throughout our engagement with the dedicated Senate Commerce team, we have focused on how technologies on-board aircraft are crucial to enhancing safety. Through accelerating the development and adoption of the Airborne Collision Avoidance System X (ACAS X), a safety-enhancing upgrade to existing technologies, the ROTOR Act will play a significant role in preventing future mid-air collisions and maintaining United States leadership in aviation safety. The ROTOR Act represents a paradigm shift in preventing mid-air collisions, as it focuses on leveraging equipment on-board aircraft, including ADS-B, and in the future, ACAS X, to ensure all operators have awareness of traffic, especially on approach to airports."

The bipartisan ROTOR Act, led by Ranking Member Cantwell and Chair Ted Cruz, passed the Commerce Committee on October 9^th of last year and the full Senate on December 17.

Sen. Cantwell has been a leader in the investigation of the January 29^. 2025 collision, including calling for permanent helicopter restrictions near DCA. In March 2025 Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requesting that the Department of Defense clarify how often and why it operates aircraft in the National Capital Region without Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out transmitting. On June 5, 2025, Senator Cantwell introduced the Safe Operation of Shared Airspace Act of 2025, the first comprehensive aviation safety legislation in response to the DCA collision. The ROTOR Act includes many of the bill's components

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