U.S. Senators Reach Bipartisan Deal on Major Aviation Safety Reform

In response to a tragic mid-air collision earlier this year that claimed 67 lives, U.S. lawmakers have reached a bipartisan agreement on sweeping aviation safety reforms aimed at preventing future accidents.

On Thursday Oct 16, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced a deal on the ROTOR Act, legislation designed to strengthen oversight of air traffic involving both civilian and military aircraft and to accelerate the implementation of modern tracking technology across U.S. fleets.

The agreement, first reported by Reuters, paves the way for a bipartisan committee vote scheduled for Tuesday. It comes after the January 29, 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport that killed all 67 people on board, prompting national outrage and renewed scrutiny of air safety standards.

Under the bill, all aircraft operators—including civilian airlines and military units—will be required to equip their fleets with Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) technology by the end of 2031. The system continuously transmits an aircraft’s position, altitude, and velocity to air traffic controllers and other nearby aircraft, providing real-time situational awareness and significantly reducing the risk of mid-air collisions.

The legislation also eliminates long-standing exemptions that allowed military helicopters to fly without ADS-B during training or proficiency flights, a gap critics say contributed to recent near-miss incidents near major airports. “We owe it to the victims’ families and every American traveler to make sure another accident never happens again,” Cruz said, calling the measure “a common-sense step that’s long overdue.”

Cantwell emphasized that the bill ensures full enforcement of ADS-B requirements after nearly two decades of delays. “This legislation closes FAA loopholes and finally delivers the safety improvements Congress demanded years ago,” she said.

Beyond ADS-B mandates, the ROTOR Act calls for comprehensive nationwide airport safety reviews to evaluate risks from military aircraft, drones, and emerging air taxi operations near busy commercial airspace. It also directs the Army Inspector General to conduct a long-delayed audit on safety coordination between military and civilian aviation authorities, and requires formal data-sharing agreements between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and all U.S. military branches.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has previously criticized the FAA’s handling of close calls near Washington, D.C., praised the bill’s intent to establish clear communication protocols. Lawmakers have noted that for years, the FAA failed to act on reports of hazardous proximity between military and civilian aircraft in controlled airspace.

In April, the FAA required government helicopters operating near Reagan National Airport to use ADS-B. The following month, the Army temporarily suspended helicopter flights around the Pentagon after another close call.

If passed, the ROTOR Act would mark the most significant aviation safety reform in over a decade, strengthening coordination between the FAA and the U.S. military while ensuring that both civilian and defense aviation operations adhere to the same modern safety standards.

With bipartisan momentum and strong public support, the legislation represents a critical step toward restoring confidence in the safety of America’s skies.


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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, investing.com, reuters.com