Overview
- The Senate voted 75–22 to proceed on the $900.6 billion FY2026 defense bill, with final passage targeted next week after House approval.
- The House language would require military training flights near Reagan National to use TCAS rather than ADS‑B and allows national security waivers if the Defense and Transportation secretaries concur after a risk assessment.
- NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy called the provision a "significant safety setback" and an unacceptable risk, saying it rolls back safeguards adopted after January’s fatal collision and that the board was not consulted.
- Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell filed an amendment to strike and replace the clause, and Sens. Jerry Moran and Tammy Duckworth also oppose it, with Moran suggesting the issue could be revisited on appropriations if changes fail now.
- The FAA has required ADS‑B for military flights in the region since shortly after the January crash that killed 67 people, the NTSB’s final report is expected in mid‑2026, and President Trump has said he wants to sign the bill that includes a 3.8% troop pay raise.