Chairman Rogers And Ranking Member Smith Praise Committee Passage of Air Safety Bill

Washington, D.C., March 26, 2026
The ALERT Act was developed in response to the fatal 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involving a civilian aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Following a year-long investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued 50 safety recommendations to address the causes of the accident and strengthen aviation safety across the national airspace. The ALERT Act addresses all 50 of these concerns, and the Armed Services Committee’s provisions ensure that national security considerations are fully integrated into these reforms, protecting both military and civil future operations.

Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statements applauding committee passage of H.R. 7613, the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act. 

For a full overview of the ALERT Act’s Title II provisions, click here. 

For more information on Title I of the ALERT Act, visit the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s resources here. 


“We owe it to the victims of last year’s tragedy and to their families to take action to ensure that this never happens again,” Chairman Rogers said. “The ALERT Act takes a comprehensive approach by fully implementing all of the NTSB recommendations, strengthening coordination in our nation’s airspace, and addressing critical national security concerns. I’m proud of the Armed Services Committee’s work and our partnership with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to deliver real solutions. I look forward to this legislation advancing with the support of my colleagues so we can get it across the finish line and make our skies safer for everyone.” 

“The loss of 67 lives over the Potomac last year was a devastating tragedy made all the worse because it was 100 percent preventable,” Ranking Member Smith said. “The collision highlighted longstanding systemic failures in how civilian and military aircraft operate in shared airspace, and we have seen multiple incidents since that fateful day that further demonstrate a continued lack of coordination between the FAA and the Department of Defense. The ALERT Act is a meaningful step forward in addressing those fundamental flaws. I’m proud of the work of this committee in taking this important step to honor the lives lost that day. I am also thankful for the efforts of their loved ones, who have valiantly channeled their grief into action to ensure this never happens again.”


Background:

The ALERT Act was developed in response to the fatal 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involving a civilian aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Following a year-long investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued 50 safety recommendations to address the causes of the accident and strengthen aviation safety across the national airspace. The ALERT Act addresses all 50 of these concerns, and the Armed Services Committee’s provisions ensure that national security considerations are fully integrated into these reforms, protecting both military and civil future operations. 


Critical safety improvements in Title II, the ALERT Act: 

  • Requires fast adoption of collision prevention technology (ADS-B In) via tablets or standalone displays within one year of enactment for DOD aircraft, except fighters, bombers, and unmanned aircraft. 
  • Requires DOD aircraft - except fighters, bombers, and unmanned aircraft - to have fully integrated collision prevention technology (ADS-B In) by December of 2031. 
  • Requires the broadcast of ADS-B Out as the default practice for all DOD rotary wing aircraft. 
  • Requires new or updated rotary wing aviation safety management systems in each military department. 
  • Requires DOD to establish new flight data monitoring programs and training based on real-world data.