Aviation safety bill based on deadly midair collision near Washington faces a House vote

The House is set to vote on the Alert Act, an aviation safety bill prompted by the January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter near Washington D.C. The bill aims to improve aircraft locator systems around busy airports, a recommendation the NTSB has advocated for since 2008, stating it could have prevented the fatal crash. While the bill has industry backing and addresses NTSB recommendations, some senators and families of the 67 victims believe it needs strengthening, particularly regarding strict implementation timelines. The Alert Act, sponsored by Representatives Graves and Larsen, requires a two-thirds House majority to pass and move to the Senate. A separate, similar Senate bill, the ROTOR Act, previously failed to pass in the House.