House Rejects ROTOR Act After Pentagon Withdraws Support
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The U.S. House rejected the ROTOR Act, a key aviation safety bill, after the Pentagon abruptly withdrew its support citing national security concerns.
Key Takeaways
- •Rejected by the House with a 264-133 vote, failing to meet the required two-thirds majority for passage.
- •Cites abrupt opposition from the Pentagon over 'operational security risks' for military aircraft.
- •Aimed to mandate wider use of ADS-B collision avoidance technology, a key NTSB recommendation.
- •Creates a legislative conflict with the Senate, which had unanimously passed the bill in December.
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly rejected a significant bipartisan aviation safety bill, stalling a legislative effort spurred by a deadly midair collision over Washington, D.C. The bill, known as the ROTOR Act, failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority for passage, with a final vote of 264 in favor and 133 opposed. The rejection came just one day after the Pentagon, a previous supporter, abruptly withdrew its endorsement.
The legislation's failure marks a major setback for safety advocates, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and families of the victims of the January 29, 2025, collision. That incident, involving a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet, resulted in 67 fatalities near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The ROTOR Act aimed to prevent similar tragedies by mandating wider use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, a system the NTSB has recommended for over two decades to enhance collision avoidance.
Background of the ROTOR Act
The Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act was introduced in direct response to the NTSB's investigation into the Flight 5342 tragedy. The bill passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous support in December. Its primary goal was to expand upon the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) existing ADS-B Out mandate, which requires most aircraft in controlled airspace to broadcast their position.
The ROTOR Act sought to close critical gaps by requiring wider adoption of ADS-B In, which allows pilots to see other ADS-B equipped aircraft on cockpit displays, and by significantly limiting exemptions for military aircraft. The NTSB has long argued that such technology could have provided pilots in the 2025 collision with the crucial seconds needed to avert the disaster. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy voiced strong support for the measure, stating before the vote, "The ROTOR Act would've saved lives. How many more people need to die before we act?"
Pentagon Opposition and House Debate
Despite its previous support, the Pentagon reversed its position on the eve of the House vote. In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell cited concerns that the bill could create "unresolved budgetary burdens and operational security risks." While the specific risks were not detailed, the sentiment was echoed forcefully by key Republican leaders in the House.
Rep. Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, argued the bill posed a direct threat to military operations. "This bill will undermine our national security," Rogers stated. "Requiring our fighters and bombers and highly classified assets to regularly broadcast their location puts our men and women in uniform at risk." This argument resonated with many members, leading to more than 130 Republicans voting against the bill and causing it to fall short of the supermajority needed for passage.
Competing Legislation and Industry Reaction
Adding to the legislative complexity, House committee leaders have put forward their own rival bill, the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act. Rep. Sam Graves, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, positioned the ALERT Act as a more comprehensive solution designed to address all 50 safety recommendations made by the NTSB following its investigation. Graves described the ROTOR Act as an "unworkable government mandate" that would be "burdensome" to some pilots.
However, the ALERT Act lacks the endorsement of the NTSB, aviation unions, and the families of the crash victims, who remain committed to the original Senate bill. Following the vote, the Families of Flight 5342 group issued a statement expressing their devastation. "Today, a majority of the House voted to pass the ROTOR Act. It was not enough. We call on House leadership to bring the ROTOR Act back for a vote that lets the majority pass it," the statement read.
What Comes Next
The bill's failure in the House sets up a potential conflict with the Senate, where it received unanimous backing. The bill's co-author, Sen. Ted Cruz, vowed to continue the fight for its passage. "Only the ROTOR Act ensures that all airplanes and helicopters flying in U.S. airspace play by the same set of rules," Cruz said in a statement. "Today's result was just a temporary delay. We will succeed, and [the] ROTOR Act will become the law of the land."
Proponents will now focus on procedural options to bring the bill back to the House floor for another vote under rules that would require only a simple majority. However, this path remains uncertain and depends on navigating the opposition from powerful committee chairs who favor the alternative ALERT Act. The immediate future of a legislative response to the 2025 midair collision now hinges on the outcome of this congressional standoff.
Why This Matters
This legislative failure highlights the persistent tension between advancing civilian aviation safety and protecting military operational security. For the aviation industry, the stalled mandate for ADS-B In technology delays the broader implementation of a key collision avoidance system. The outcome of the competing ROTOR and ALERT Acts will set a significant precedent for how Congress balances NTSB recommendations against military and general aviation cost concerns following a major accident.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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