WASHINGTON, DC - Following consideration of S. 2503, the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act on the Floor of the House of Representatives, Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07), who voted against the legislation, issued the following statement:
“The crash of American Airlines Flight 5342 was a devastating tragedy leaving the loved ones of 67 souls to experience unimaginable loss for the rest of their lives. The crash was also a sobering reminder of the dire need to strengthen aviation protocols to better ensure our skies are safe," said Congressman David Rouzer.
"While I appreciate the Senate’s efforts on the ROTOR Act, the legislation fails to fully address all the recommendations made by the NTSB in the wake of the crash. The bipartisan ALERT Act offers a comprehensive, data-driven path forward in aviation safety. I look forward to immediately continuing the work of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to advance this critical legislation through the legislative process.
We owe it to the victims' families and to every American traveler to get this right.”
S. 2503 failed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 264 to 133 on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
Background:
The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026 is the comprehensive legislative response to the various aviation safety issues raised by the tragic 2025 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a UH-60 Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The ALERT Act was introduced in the House last week by the bipartisan leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. Congressman David Rouzer is an original cosponsor of the legislation.
The ALERT Act addresses all 50 safety related recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which concluded its thorough investigation and issued its final report on February 17, 2026.
