NPR News
Joel Rose
24 Feb 2026
The House of Representatives narrowly rejected an aviation safety bill that was spurred by the deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, one day after the Pentagon abruptly withdrew its support for the bipartisan bill.
The ROTOR Act, as the bill is known, would require wider use of a safety system known as ADS-B in and ADS-B out, which can transmit an aircraft's location to other aircraft. It would also limit exemptions for military helicopters.
The Senate approved the bill unanimously in December. The bill also had wide support from families of the crash victims, many of whom had traveled to Capitol Hill for the vote.
But the Pentagon has reservations...
House rejects aviation safety bill after Pentagon balks : NPR : 24 Feb 2026
