Congress/NDAA

Sens. Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz filed Senate amendments on Dec. 11 to strip NDAA language weakening helicopter ADS‑B requirements and replace it with their earlier aviation safety bill, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the issue could be resolved by quickly passing a separate bill requiring ADS‑B In for airlines and revoking DoD ADS‑B transmission exemptions. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy warned the NDAA language could undermine safety and invite a repeat of the 67‑fatality January crash, major transportation unions condemned the provisions as reckless, and the House has advanced the NDAA though it’s unclear if Senate GOP leaders will permit changes that might delay its passage.