Overview
- The Senate-passed ROTOR Act fell 264–133 in the House under a fast-track process that required a two‑thirds majority for approval.
- The Defense Department withdrew support on the eve of the vote, warning the bill posed unresolved budget burdens and operational security risks to military operations.
- The ROTOR Act would have required ADS‑B In for most aircraft and tightened when military flights could stop broadcasting their location, with equipage envisioned by 2031.
- The NTSB concluded ADS‑B In would have given crews far more warning and likely prevented the 2025 DCA collision, and victims’ families and pilot unions backed the mandate.
- House committee leaders plan to advance the competing ALERT Act, which they say addresses all 50 NTSB recommendations but does not require universal ADS‑B In and gives the military more discretion.