The ROTOR Act, a bipartisan bill designed to close air safety gaps by mandating ADS-B navigation technology on civilian and military aircraft, failed to pass the U.S. House of Representatives.
Despite previous unanimous Senate approval and wide backing, the bill did not secure the two-thirds majority required for its fast-track passage.
Opposition arose from some House Republicans and the Pentagon, citing concerns over significant budgetary burdens, operational security risks, and the potential for adversaries to track military aircraft if ADS-B was universally mandated.
An alternative, less stringent bill called the ALERT Act was proposed by some House Republicans, creating division on how best to address the aviation safety recommendations.
A high-profile bill intended to close some of the air safety gaps highlighted by a fatal collision over Washington, D.C., last year failed to pass the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The ROTOR Act did not garner the two-thirds majority needed to pass under a special fast-track procedure. The final vote was 264-133, according to The Hill.
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Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.