Requiring ADS-B In technology in all aircraft?
The ROTOR Act, short for Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act, seeks to improve aviation safety, aircraft communication, and supervision. If passed, the bill will require all aircraft to include ADS-B In technology, which will improve information broadcasting and transmission between aircraft and air traffic control. Flights considered sensitive government issues are excluded from these regulations, but exceptions will be closely monitored by the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Transportation. Additionally, under this bill, the Federal Aviation Administration will be required to work with military agencies to ensure greater airspace coordination and the sharing of safety information.
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (Republican, Texas)
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Opponents say
• "It’s my deeply rooted respect for the NTSB’s investigations and processes that has led me to believe S.2503 does not sufficiently or properly address the findings and recommendations of the Board… Unfortunately, the ROTOR Act touches on only two of the NTSB’s 50 recommendations and provides an overly prescriptive approach to mandating a specific technology, which is still largely under development, in a manner that can prove burdensome to some operators and create barriers to its adoption. I’d remind my colleagues that we’ve been in this position before. Congress mandated the exact technology prescribed in the ROTOR Act in 2012. Due to the lack of maturity of the technology and scalable applications that can benefit a broad range of operators, the mandate proved to be so unworkable that this body had to repeal that mandate in 2018. Sadly, many of the considerations that led Congress to repeal that mandate still exist today… My greatest fear is that passage of this legislation today, in its current form, will unintentionally lead to an operational crisis in 2031 and force future Congresses to have the same debate on the need to repeal another unworkable government mandate." Source: Rep. Sam Graves (Democrat, Missouri, District 6), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
• "The Department of War appreciates Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, Sen. Moran, Sen. Marshall, and Sen. Duckworth for their sustained engagement on the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act and shares their commitment to improving aviation safety and accountability. Over the past months, the Department worked closely with the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to incorporate provisions addressing critical safety, budgetary, and national security considerations associated with sensitive rotorcraft operations. While we continue to support the intent and objectives of the legislation, the version passed by the Senate does not reflect several of the mutually discussed updates. As currently drafted, enactment would create significant unresolved budgetary burdens and operational security risks affecting national defense activities. The Department remains ready to continue productive dialogue with Congress to ensure the legislation achieves its safety goals while protecting essential operational capabilities and resources." Source: Sean Parnell, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Chief Pentagon Spokesman
• "The horrific crash over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025, was a tragedy that claimed 67 lives. It should never have happened, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure it never happens again in American airspace. Following a thorough investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified multiple contributing factors and issued fifty recommendations to strengthen aviation safety and prevent future incidents. I voted against the ROTOR Act because, while it addresses certain elements of the crash, it fails to implement the full scope of the NTSB’s recommendations. Piecemeal reforms are not enough when lives are at stake. Additionally, provisions in the bill raise serious national security concerns by potentially exposing sensitive military capabilities and operations. I am proud to cosponsor the bipartisan Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, which takes a comprehensive approach by addressing all fifty NTSB recommendations while safeguarding sensitive military systems… We owe it to the victims and their families to enact meaningful reforms that fully address the causes of this tragedy. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to deliver responsible, comprehensive aviation safety legislation." Source: Rep. Robert J. Wittman (Republican, Virginia, District 1), Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee
Proponents say
• "I rise today in support of S.2503, the ROTOR Act. Last year’s January 29 midair collision at National Airport tragically took 67 lives, but it was preventable. It is our duty to do everything we can to stop this tragedy from ever happening again. This bill would implement a central recommendation from the NTSB’s final report on the collision: a requirement to use Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast technology, “ADS-B Out and In.” NTSB has recommended an ADS-B In requirement 17 times before. NTSB’s final report said that ADS-B In would have alerted the flight crew 59 seconds before the collision, and the helicopter crew 48 seconds before [the collision]. ADS-B In would have given those pilots a fighting chance to avoid the disaster. It is high time that ADS-B Out and In are required in our nation’s busiest airspaces like the National Capital Region. Passing the ROTOR Act is the strongest first step we can take toward ensuring a safer airspace for the flying public today, to improve aviation safety and prevent a future crash at DCA… Congress must pass the ROTOR Act this week, to mandate that pilots have access to ADS-B In and Out as soon as possible." Source: Rep. Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (Democrat, Virginia, District 8)
• "After numerous conversations with my colleagues, Senator Cruz and Senator Cantwell, we secured an agreement from the Senate leadership – and I thank that Senate leadership, Senator Thune – for an amended version of the ROTOR Act, that it be quickly brought to the Senate floor for consideration to reinstate the advanced critical standards of safety for commercial and military aviation. We’re doing that right now. The ROTOR Act closes the loopholes that have been described by my colleagues; it strengthens ADS-B requirements for commercial and military aircraft, among many other things. It requires a safety review of DCA and requires better coordination and information sharing between FAA and DoD… Our aviation system is fragile, and over the last year, Congress has passed significant legislation investing in that airspace to increase the safety and to make sure that all who fly can be and are safe and feel safe. Now is not the time to take any steps backwards, and that’s what we were worried, concerned about, that the NDAA provision does. While Congress works to ensure in law the safety of our airspace, our DOT and FAA leaders are committed to abide by current safety standards, maintaining that safety at the DCA airspace." Source: Sen. Jerry Moran (Republican, Kansas, District 1), Member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
• "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." Source: Tim and Sheri Lilley, whose son, Sam, was the First Officer of Flight 5342
- Sen. Cruz and Colleagues Introduce ROTOR Act (Press Release)
- A visual timeline of the collision between a passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter in DC (CNN)
- U.S. admits fault in DC midair crash as families push for safer skies: ‘part of our healing' (NBC4 Washington)
- Systemic Failures Led to Midair Collision Over Potomac River in Washington (National Transportation Safety Board)
- House rejects air safety bill as families of deadliest U.S. crash in 25 years look on (NBC News)
- S. 2503 Cost Estimate (Congressional Budget Office)
- Sen. Tom Cruz’s Largest Donors (OpenSecrets)
