Aviation Regulation and Oversight

Grieving families are pressing Congress for aviation-safety reforms as the Senate Commerce Committee holds a Feb. 12, 2026 hearing featuring only NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy to review all 50 recommendations from the Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision near Washington. The Senate has unanimously passed the ROTOR Act to require ADS‑B Out and ADS‑B In around busy airports—legislation held up by key House chairs favoring a broader package—and while ADS‑B In would have given the American Airlines crew earlier, more precise warning, the Army helicopter’s ADS‑B Out was switched off that night; the FAA has since barred helicopters on that route when Reagan National’s secondary runway is in use and now requires ADS‑B Out for all aircraft there.