WTAS: Advocates Commend Senate Passage of ROTOR, Urge House Consideration

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Aviation groups and families of the victims of the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash praised the Senate's unanimous passage on Wednesday of the ROTOR Act, Chairman Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) aviation safety bill. The ROTOR Act, a bipartisan effort with Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), tightens the rules for military aircraft, requiring them to transmit precise location information to avert future collisions. Advocates urged quick House passage of the legislation, which also has the backing of the White House and the Department of War.

To see a full list of supporters, click HERE.

Below are some statements in support of the ROTOR Act:

Statement from The Families of Flight 5342: "Today, the Senate passed the bipartisan ROTOR Act unanimously, marking an important step toward improving air travel safety. We extend our deepest gratitude to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, in addition to Senate Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran and Ranking Member Tammy Duckworth, for their leadership and commitment to making our skies safer for all. We now call upon the House of Representatives to swiftly pass this legislation and deliver it to the President's desk to be signed into law before January 29, 2026 - the one-year anniversary of our loved ones' passing."

Statement from Tim and Sheri Lilley, whose son, Sam, was the First Officer of Flight 5342:

"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."

Statement from American Airlines:

"We continue to mourn the lives lost in the tragic accident involving Flight 5342. We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Cruz and Cantwell, and other Senators and Secretary Duffy to get the ROTOR Act passed in the Senate. American Airlines urges the House to act expeditiously to make aviation and our national airspace even safer."

Statement from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy:

"I'm grateful to Senator Cruz, Senator Cantwell, Senator Moran, and other Senate leaders for passing the ROTOR Act, which will increase communication protocol between aircraft. Since the horrific tragedy in January, the FAA & USDOT have taken a number of steps -including eliminating helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic near DCA?- to make the skies above our nation's capital safer. This important legislation is built on that progress and we look forward to working with Congress to make our airspace the envy of the world."

Statement from Chairman Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board:

"With today's passage of the ROTOR Act in the Senate, we are one step closer toward implementation of our longstanding recommendations. Thank you to all who led the way toward passage, in particular, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Cantwell and Senator Duckworth. Because of your leadership, we will save lives!"

Statement from Mayor of Washington DC Muriel Bowser:

"The ROTOR Act marks a critical step toward making Washington, DC's airspace safer and more transparent. I want to thank Senators Cruz, Cantwell, Moran, and Duckworth for their leadership in securing unanimous Senate support for this legislation-which directly addresses the safety concerns raised by the tragic mid-air collision over the Potomac. There is more work to be done, but this bill lays a strong foundation for preventing future tragedies. I urge the House to act swiftly and pass the ROTOR Act."

Statement from Air Line Pilots Association:

"ALPA commends Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell for their bipartisan leadership and demonstration that aviation safety rises above politics," said @ALPAPresident, in a statement about the ROTOR Act's Senate passage today."

Statement from America's Transportation Union:

"As America's largest transportation labor federation, we welcome Senate passage of the bipartisan ROTOR Act, which would preserve air safety provisions implemented after the tragic January mid-air collision & implement additional safety measures. We urge the House to follow suit."

Statement from The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA):

"The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is grateful for the Senate's unanimous passage of the ROTOR Act. We thank Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell for their leadership to address the critical safety issues identified in the aftermath of the mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025, which tragically resulted in the loss of 67 lives. The ROTOR Act will enhance safety for commercial, general aviation, and military aircraft, as well as for aircraft crews, passengers, and citizens on the ground. "

Statement from Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA):

"APFA commends Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the ROTOR Act to a unanimous vote in the U.S. Senate. The devastating midair collision at DCA is a sobering reminder of the urgent need to strengthen aviation safety and prevent future tragedies. We are encouraged that the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendations are now one step closer to becoming law. In honor of the lives lost on January 29, we urge the House of Representatives to take up and pass this critical legislation without delay."

Statement from Airlines for America (A4A):

"The safety of our passengers and crews is always airlines' top priority, and we appreciate the work of Senators Cruz and Cantwell to improve aviation safety. We applaud the Senate's action to codify and preserve the MOU between DOD and DOT to protect the airspace around DCA. We look forward to continuing our ongoing collaboration with lawmakers to improve aviation safety as the process moves to the House of Representatives to ensure our national airspace is the safest in the world."

Background:

On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk military helicopter collided midair near DCA, tragically claiming 67 lives. Since then, there have been discoveries of known safety gaps.

Senator Cruz introduced the ROTOR Act along with Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation; Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.); Ted Budd (R-N.C.); Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.); Roger Marshall (R-Kan.); Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.); Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.); and Todd Young (R-Ind.) in July six months to the day after the January 29th midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). In October, he and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) reached a bipartisan compromise and passed the bill unanimously out of the Commerce Committee.

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