ROTOR Act Fails in House Vote After Pentagon Reverses Support

A significant aviation safety bill, the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (ROTOR Act), has failed to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, which was fast-tracked after unanimous Senate approval in December, did not achieve the required two-thirds majority for passage. The failure represents a major setback for the families of victims of the January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 crash, who have been advocating for its approval.

The bill's defeat was influenced by several factors, including the last-minute reversal of support from the Pentagon and the absence of 35 representatives during the vote. Many of the absences, including 26 Democrats, were attributed to severe blizzard conditions in the Northeast that caused widespread travel disruptions. The outcome has drawn sharp criticism from victim advocacy groups and has highlighted the complexities of enacting safety reforms, even those with strong support from federal safety investigators.

Legislative Intent and NTSB Support

The ROTOR Act was drafted in direct response to the mid-air collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that killed 67 people in 2025. The core of the legislation aimed to close a critical loophole that permits some military helicopters to operate domestically without broadcasting their location. It would have mandated the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) technology on these aircraft, a key component of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) NextGen air traffic control modernization.

Support for the measure has been vocal from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the independent agency that investigates transportation accidents. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has stated publicly that the 2025 crash “wouldn’t have occurred” if the ROTOR Act had been law at the time. Homendy's commentary underscores the NTSB's position that such technology would have provided pilots with the necessary information to prevent the collision. The advocacy group formed by loved ones, Families of Flight 5342, has championed the bill as an essential step to prevent similar tragedies.

Pentagon Reversal and Competing Legislation

A critical factor in the vote's failure was the Pentagon's sudden reversal of its position on the bill. After previously supporting the legislation, the Department of Defense withdrew its endorsement on the Monday before the vote, citing unspecified budget concerns and security risks. This change of stance likely influenced the vote among some representatives.

Adding to the complexity, a separate aviation reform bill was introduced in the House just last week. This alternative legislation is reportedly backed by the trade group Airlines for America, the military, and major general aviation groups. However, families of the Flight 5342 victims have criticized this proposal as insufficient. Matt Collins, whose brother was killed in the crash, described the competing bill as “extremely weak,” suggesting it is designed to protect private jet owners from stricter safety rules. This development points to a larger industry debate over the scope and cost of new safety mandates.

Absences and Family Frustration

While the Pentagon's reversal was significant, the absences of dozens of lawmakers drew the most immediate and personal criticism from victims' families. Spokespeople for six representatives from Massachusetts and Rhode Island confirmed their support for the ROTOR Act but stated that blizzard-related flight cancellations and delays prevented them from reaching Washington in time. Doug Lane, who lost his wife and son in the crash, traveled to Washington for the vote despite the impending storm and expressed his frustration.

“It’s your job to be there to vote,” Lane stated, noting that he, as a private citizen, was able to make the journey. “The people that were elected to be there should have been there.”

Lawmakers' offices have expressed regret and have advocated for the bill to be brought back for another vote. A spokesperson for Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI) acknowledged the families' frustration and stated the congressman would “advocate strongly for the bill to be brought up quickly for another vote.” If brought back under regular order, the bill would only require a simple majority to pass, rather than the two-thirds supermajority required under the fast-track rule it failed.

What Comes Next

Advocates and supportive lawmakers are now pushing for House Speaker Mike Johnson to reintroduce the ROTOR Act for another vote under regular procedures. The path forward remains uncertain, complicated by the presence of the competing reform bill and the Pentagon's newly stated opposition. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the safety measures proposed in the ROTOR Act can be revived or if momentum will shift toward the alternative, industry-backed legislation.

Why This Matters

This legislative failure highlights the persistent tension between advancing aviation safety technology and navigating political, budgetary, and national security interests. The inability to pass a bill with strong NTSB backing after a major fatal accident signals significant hurdles for future safety reforms. For the aviation industry, it underscores the ongoing challenges in integrating civilian and military air traffic to prevent collisions in increasingly congested airspace.

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