House Passes ALERT Act Air-Safety Bill, Setting Up Senate Fight Over Collision-Avoidance Mandates
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The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan ALERT Act, passing the air‑safety bill 396–10 under suspension of the rules as a direct response to the deadly midair collision near Washington’s Reagan National Airport. The measure would require most aircraft operating in busy or controlled airspace to carry ADS‑B In collision‑avoidance equipment in addition to the already widespread ADS‑B Out, tighten helicopter routing and separation near major airports, and overhaul certain air‑traffic control procedures and training identified by the NTSB as contributing factors. Lawmakers revised the bill after initial criticism and say they worked with the NTSB to ensure the amended text would compel the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense and FAA to take steps intended to address the NTSB’s recommendations; the bill includes exemptions for certain fighters, bombers, drones and special‑mission aircraft and gives military aircraft until 2031 to comply.