Washington (October 21, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Science, Commerce, and Transportation Committee, today successfully passed four amendments to the ROTOR Act, bipartisan legislation from Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in response to the January collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional commercial jet operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that took the lives of 67 people. These amendments represent Senator Markey’s commitment to fighting for transparency for families of plane crash victims and improving aviation safety.

“The ROTOR Act is critical legislation to ensure that the tragic crash of American Airlines Flight 5342 never happens again,” said Senator Markey. “I am especially proud the legislation includes my amendments that ensure the victims’ families get the answers they deserve related to post-crash investigations and safety improvements. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the families, we are one step closer to a safer aviation system.”

Senator Markey helped secure four amendments to the ROTOR Act:

• Amendment #1: The legislation mandates that all commercial aircraft be equipped with vital anti-collision technology called ADS-B In by 2031. Senator Markey’s amendment requires quarterly public updates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the implementation of this requirement so that victims’ families, elected officials, and advocates can ensure the FAA is implementing the requirement quickly and thoroughly.

• Amendment #2: This amendment ensures the FAA consults with labor groups who represent the workers who keep the aviation system safe while implementing the ADS-B In adoption requirement.

• Amendment #3: The legislation requires safety reviews of the airspace of major airports. This amendment requires the FAA to maintain sufficient staffing levels to quickly and efficiently conduct these reviews. This amendment comes after Senator Markey pushed the FAA for answers about the staffing levels following DOGE staffing cuts.

• Amendment #4: The legislation requires the Department of the Army’s Office of Inspector General to investigate the Flight 5342 crash. This amendment requires the Army OIG office to provide briefings twice a year to ensure the families are provided sufficient updates, and to ensure the office is conducting the investigation in a timely and thorough manner.

Senator Markey is a long-time champion of aviation safety. In July, Senator Markey led 11 of his colleagues in a letter to the FAA, demanding answers about how staffing cuts have impacted the agency’s safety mission. In response to the safety culture crisis at the Boeing Company, in April, Senator Markey introduced his Safety Starts at the Top Act, which requires major aerospace manufacturers to include labor and aerospace safety experts on its Board of Directors.

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