All Roll Calls
Yes: 264 • No: 133
S2503119th CongressWALLET
ROTOR Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Failed
Summary
Tighter ADS‑B rules and stronger oversight of exceptions for sensitive government missions aimed at forcing wider equipage and clearer reporting. The bill would push the FAA to require ADS‑B In on most aircraft, limit when agencies can stop transmitting ADS‑B Out, and create audits and safety reviews to improve rotorcraft and airport safety.
Show full summary
- Military and government operators would face new reporting and limits. Agencies must notify air traffic control when ADS‑B Out is turned off for sensitive missions, send quarterly reports to the FAA, and provide monthly notice to Congress for missions in Class B airspace.
- Aircraft owners and operators would have an ADS‑B In mandate and technical rules. The FAA would have to issue a final rule within 2 years and set a compliance deadline of December 31, 2031, with performance standards and phased retrofit relief for in‑service aircraft.
- FAA, airports, and controllers would see expanded safety reviews and coordination. The bill requires rapid safety reviews for Reagan National and other airports, new separation standards rulemaking, controller training updates, and a new FAA‑DOD coordination office.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
ADS-B In equipment deadline
Had it passed, the bill would have required most aircraft that already needed ADS‑B Out to also have ADS‑B In. The FAA would have had 2 years to write the rule and operators would have had to comply by December 31, 2031. The rule would have set performance standards, allowed some safe alternative devices, and allowed portable receivers for planes under 12,500 pounds if they did not hurt other required avionics. The rule would have included a phased retrofit process letting in‑service operators apply for up to one extra year and the FAA could use a negotiated rulemaking to help write the rule.
FAA and DOD coordination and audits
Had it passed, the bill would have made the FAA set up an Office of FAA–DOD Coordination within 30 days to improve civil‑military safety work. The FAA would have signed MOUs to share safety data with the Army in 60 days and with Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard in 90 days. The Army Inspector General would have started a focused audit within 60 days and given interim briefings every 180 days and a final report to committees soon after completion. The bill also sought safety reviews of Reagan National and other busy airports, and it would have undone a FY2026 NDAA change to restore prior rotary‑wing rules.
Stricter ADS-B Out exception oversight
Had it passed, the bill would have limited routine use of ADS‑B Out exceptions and required agencies to report when they turned ADS‑B Out off. Agencies would have had to report to the FAA within 90 days and then every quarter, and the FAA would have reported to Congress within 180 days and twice a year after that. The bill would have required a special notice to Congress if an exception was used 5 or more times in a month and ordered GAO and DOT Inspector General reviews and audits on exception use and FAA oversight.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
WV • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
MT • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 7/29/2025
Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
VT • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
WY • R
Sponsored 2/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 2/24/2026
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 264 • No: 133