House Votes Against Passing Critical Midair Collision Prevention Bill Threatening Aviation Safety Near Washington D.C. Airports

In a vote that left grieving families frustrated, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a bill aimed at preventing midair collisions near busy airports.

The measure, known as the ROTOR Act, would have required aircraft to be equipped with advanced locator systems capable of receiving real-time data about nearby planes.

The bill gained 264 votes in favor but fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass under a fast-track process.

A total of 133 representatives opposed it. The legislation had already cleared the Senate but stumbled in the House, leaving a gaping hole in aviation safety reforms nearly a year after a deadly January 2025 collision killed 67 people over Washington, D.C.

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Families of Victims Express Disappointment

Family members of the victims, many of whom watched the vote unfold from the gallery, voiced deep disappointment.

Tim Lilley, whose son Sam served as first officer on the American Airlines flight involved in the crash, said the outcome was disheartening but vowed to keep pushing for reform.

“We’re going to end up back here having the same conversation because of another midair collision,” Lilley said.

“Hopefully — fingers crossed — that doesn’t happen.”

The collision on January 29, 2025, involved an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, claiming the lives of 67 people, including 27 members of the figure skating community.

Among them was the family of Olympic figure skater Maxim Naumov.

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What the ROTOR Act Would Have Done

The ROTOR Act, short for “Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform,” was designed to mandate that aircraft flying near busy airports be equipped with ADS-B In technology, which receives signals from other aircraft and gives pilots detailed warnings about nearby air traffic.

Currently, aircraft are required to have ADS-B Out, which broadcasts their location but does not provide a full display of surrounding planes.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have long advocated for this technology, which could have given pilots crucial extra seconds to avoid collisions.

Fabrice Kunzi, one of the engineers behind the ADS-B systems, emphasized that the technology is designed to integrate smoothly into cockpits without the need for expensive dashboard overhauls, providing audible warnings when a collision risk is detected.

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House vs. Senate: Competing Approaches

One reason the ROTOR Act failed in the House is a disagreement over technology mandates.

The House bill would have required the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate what system is best, rather than mandating ADS-B In outright.

Critics say this approach is too slow and leaves safety gaps.

The Senate version, led by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, received bipartisan support and would have set a uniform standard for all aircraft operating near major airports.

“We will succeed, and ROTOR Act will become the law of the land,” Cruz said, stressing that the families and the flying public deserve definitive action.

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Opposition from Industry and the Military

Airlines, the military, and general aviation groups lobbied against the Senate-style mandate, citing costs and technical challenges.

While commercial aircraft like the Airbus A321 can be equipped for roughly $50,000 per plane, general aviation pilots have the option of portable receivers costing around $400.

Despite these cost concerns, safety advocates argue that the expense is minor compared to the human toll of preventable collisions.

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said the failed bill was “the clearest and most direct way to avoid midair collisions.”

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Experts Warn of Repetition Without Action

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has pointed out that the House bill does not fully address the board’s 50 safety recommendations.

Rep. Nick Langworthy, one of the supporters of the bill, acknowledged that weather-related absences and last-minute Pentagon changes may have influenced the vote.

Experts warn that without a clear mandate, a similar tragedy could occur in the future.

Doug Lane, who lost his wife and teenage son in the crash, criticized the bill as a “placeholder” that punts real collision-prevention technology into a drawn-out rulemaking process.

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What’s Next?

Lawmakers in both chambers have indicated that aviation safety remains a priority.

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves said the House bill could be marked up as early as next week, potentially revising provisions to align more closely with the Senate’s approach.

Families and safety advocates plan to continue lobbying for an enforceable solution, emphasizing that every day without a mandate increases risk.

With bipartisan pressure mounting and the public’s attention focused on aviation safety, proponents hope Congress will ultimately deliver systems capable of preventing another midair disaster.

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Summary

The House failed to pass the ROTOR Act, leaving critical midair collision prevention measures in limbo.

Families of the 67 victims from the January 2025 Washington, D.C. crash expressed disappointment, while Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell pledged to continue pushing for mandatory ADS-B In technology.

Industry and military opposition, cost concerns, and legislative disagreements contributed to the bill’s defeat.

Advocates stress urgent action is still needed to prevent future tragedies.