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Bipartisan leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Armed Services Committees introduced comprehensive legislation in response to the 2025 midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026 addresses all 50 safety recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board following its investigation.
Key provisions include requiring advanced collision mitigation and alerting technologies for aircraft, improving helicopter routing and separation, reducing near-miss incidents, addressing FAA safety culture deficiencies, enhancing air traffic control training and procedures, strengthening safety in the congested DCA airspace, and more. Numerous stakeholder groups throughout the aviation community are speaking out in support of the ALERT Act. The legislation is led by T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA).
"The collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 with an Army Black Hawk helicopter in our nation's capital was a terrible tragedy, and I will continue to pray for the families of the 67 victims," said Chairman Graves. "This comprehensive bill will make our aviation system safer by directly addressing various factors that contributed to this accident."
Read more about the legislation here.
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COMMITTEE MARKUP
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At a markup on February 11th, T&I advanced several pieces of legislation focused on promoting domestic investment, strengthening U.S. manufacturing, reducing costs to the taxpayer, and more.
The Committee approved legislation to encourage bringing jobs back to the U.S. by prioritizing economic development in distressed communities, a bill to reduce federal real estate costs through innovative building financing solutions, and a bill to prevent water pollution by reauthorizing key Environmental Protection Agency grant programs. Additionally, the Committee approved a resolution to honor fallen law enforcement officers by allowing the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service to be held on the Capitol Grounds.
Read more about the legislation passed here.
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Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS), a former law enforcement officer for more than 40 years, discusses the resolution passed at the markup, which would honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025.
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SUBCOMMITTEE ACTIVITY
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Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2026 - Administration Priorities
The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing as part of the Committee's continuing work to develop the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA). Subcommittee Members were given the opportunity to hear directly from the Administration on its WRDA priorities. Witnesses emphasized the importance of WRDA as Congress's primary tool for guiding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' civil works missions. Members also discussed the critical role of ports and inland waterways in supporting economic growth and national security, while raising concerns about project delays, burdensome regulatory requirements, and the need to complete infrastructure improvements more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Read more about the subcommittee hearing here.
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MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT
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At the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee hearing, Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) discussed the Army Corps of Engineers' new initiative "Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork." He noted that the initiative supports the goals of WRDAby reducing bureaucratic delays, improving efficiency, and increasing transparency and accountability. Witnesses underscored that streamlining permitting processes will help projects move forward more quickly, delivering benefits to communities sooner rather than shifting burdens to future generations. "I see this as an exciting, promising step toward delivering more cost-effective water resources projects on time and on budget," said Rep. Fong.
T&I advanced legislation introduced by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) to help bring jobs back to the United States by strengthening the mission of the Economic Development Administration. The bill, H.R. 7342, clarifies grant eligibility to better support economic development in distressed communities and prioritizes returning jobs to the areas that need them most, helping to bring jobs home with the greatest impact.
Rep. Hurd is a freshman Member representing Colorado's 3rd congressional district. In addition to T&I, Rep. Hurd serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
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IN THE NEWS
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Rep. Fong for the Washington Reporter: Op-Ed: Rep. Vince Fong: 537 million more reasons to cancel California's high-speed rail nightmare
Fox Business: Chairman Sam Graves joins 'Varney & Co'
WBTV 3: North Carolina Republican Addison McDowell spoke on the ALERT Act
PennLive: One truck driver's story shows why tax policy isn't just about numbers | Opinion
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