WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 2503 · 119th Congress

ROTOR Act

Passed SenateTransportation and Public Works
IntroducedJul 29, 2025
Passed SenateDec 17, 2025
Passed HouseNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed Senate. Latest step, Feb 24, 2026: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72). The House voted it down 264–133. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn yes. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 8 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 2503 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 8 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as passed by the Senate (Dec 17, 2025).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Definitions
  • Sec. 3 Revision to Exception for ADS–B Out Transmission
  • Sec. 4 ADS–B In requirements
  • Sec. 5 Repeal of manned rotary wing aircraft safety provisions
  • Sec. 6 Inspector General of the Army audit
  • Sec. 7 Safety reviews of airspace
  • Sec. 8 FAA–DOD safety information sharing
  • Sec. 9 Treatment of memorandum of agreement between Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act or the ROTOR Act

    This bill addresses aviation safety by increasing requirements for aircraft tracking and communication using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and expanding oversight.

    As background, ADS-B for broadcasting (Out) and receiving (In) transmits information (e.g., location and weather information) between aircraft and air traffic control.

    Under the bill, aircraft must generally operate with ADS-B In equipment to provide the aircraft with location information of other aircraft and traffic advisories. Current law does not require this equipment.

    Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations allow aircraft performing a sensitive government mission to be excepted from requirements for using ADS-B Out equipment. This bill limits which flights may be considered sensitive government missions (e.g., not training flights) and requires additional reporting and notifications for the exception.

    The Government Accountability Office must review the use of the ADS-B Out exception and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Transportation must annually audit FAA oversight of operations that use the exception.

    Read the whole official summary (253 words, about 1 min)

    Further, the bill repeals a 2025 law that exempts certain military helicopters from the ADS-B Out requirements for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

    The bill also requires

    • the OIG of the Army to audit the Army’s coordination with the FAA,

    • the FAA to establish an office to coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and review the safety of flight operations and routes around airports, and

    • the FAA to enter into memoranda of understanding with military agencies for safety information sharing.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Passed Senate, Dec 17, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Feb 24, 2026Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    2. Dec 17, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    3. Nov 18, 2025Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.Library of Congress
    4. Jul 29, 2025Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

    Show all 20 recorded actions

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Feb 24, 2026 · HouseFailed 264–133
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn yes
      On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · needed two-thirds
      R 77 yes, 132 noD 187 yes, 1 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Marsha Blackburn R-TN
    • Richard Blumenthal D-CT
    • Lisa Blunt Rochester D-DE
    • Ted Budd R-NC
    • Maria Cantwell D-WA
    • Shelley Moore Capito R-WV
    • John R. Curtis R-UT
    • Tammy Duckworth D-IL
    • Tim Kaine D-VA
    • Amy Klobuchar D-MN
    • Cynthia M. Lummis R-WY
    • Edward J. Markey D-MA
    Show 9 more cosponsors
    • Roger Marshall R-KS
    • Jerry Moran R-KS
    • Eric Schmitt R-MO
    • Tim Sheehy R-MT
    • Chris Van Hollen D-MD
    • Mark R. Warner D-VA
    • Raphael G. Warnock D-GA
    • Peter Welch D-VT
    • Todd Young R-IN