Davids Statement on the ROTOR Act Vote

Today, Representative Sharice Davids issued the following statement after the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act – a bipartisan bill aimed at improving aviation safety standards – failed on a vote before the U.S. House.

“I’m disappointed the ROTOR Act failed today,” said Davids. “This bill was an important first step in meaningful reforms for both the flying public and the victims and families of last year’s tragic collision of Flight 5342 and a military helicopter. I’m committed to continuing to push for the reforms included in this bill and other much-needed aviation safety improvements through my role on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. We must take action to ensure that this kind of tragedy never happens again and to honor the memory of the lives lost because the victims and families deserve nothing less.”

Last week, Davids introduced the ALERT Act, a bipartisan bill that includes and builds on the ROTOR Act's reforms to strengthen aviation safety and protect flyers, aligning closely with National Transportation Safety Board recommendations from their investigation of the deadly collision. The ALERT Act, split between civilian air travel and military aircraft safety, addresses concerns about airspace congestion, communication failures, outdated collision-avoidance systems, and coordination between civilian and military aircraft. 

On January 29, 2025, Flight 5342 departed Wichita, Kansas (ICT) bound for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). As the flight approached its destination, it collided midair with a military training helicopter, tragically killing the two pilots, two flight attendants, and 60 passengers on the airplane, along with all three crew members aboard the helicopter.