The House of Representatives on Tuesday narrowly rejected a bipartisan Senate-passed aviation safety bill aimed at preventing midair collisions.

The vote on the ROTOR Act (S. 2503) failed 264-133 under a suspension-of-the-rules procedure that required a two-thirds majority for passage, falling just short of the threshold. Of the nays, 132 were Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher of Texas. Thirty-five members did not vote.

The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), would require all manned aircraft operating in airspace where Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) is mandated to equip ADS-B In technology, allowing planes and helicopters to receive real-time location data from nearby aircraft. The Senate approved it unanimously in December 2025.

The bill responded to the January 29, 2025, midair collision over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed all 67 people aboard PSA Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700 regional jet operated for American Airlines, and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The National Transportation Safety Board determined in its final report that ADS-B In could have helped avert the disaster.

Opposition crystallized after the Pentagon withdrew support on Monday, warning of unresolved budgetary burdens, operational disruptions for military aircraft, and national security risks. House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), voted against it, as did Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.).

House Republicans have pushed their own bipartisan alternative, the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, introduced by Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), which provides more flexibility and exemptions, particularly for general aviation and military operations. Graves argued the ROTOR Act imposed undue burdens without sufficient House input.

Family members of crash victims watched from the House gallery, many visibly emotional after the defeat. Rachel Feres, who lost relatives, called it "crushing" and accused the government of failing to act on safety recommendations. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) criticized GOP leadership for orchestrating the failure, noting that it would have passed on a full-attendance day.

Sen. Cruz expressed optimism, predicting passage soon, while Graves plans to advance the ALERT Act next week. Speaker Johnson indicated the House and Senate would collaborate on aviation safety reforms.