Wittman Opposes ROTOR Act, Supports Comprehensive Aviation Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released a statement following his vote against the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act and expressed his support for more comprehensive aviation safety legislation: 

“The horrific crash over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025, was a tragedy that claimed 67 lives. It should never have happened, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure it never happens again in American airspace. Following a thorough investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified multiple contributing factors and issued fifty recommendations to strengthen aviation safety and prevent future incidents.

I voted against the ROTOR Act because, while it addresses certain elements of the crash, it fails to implement the full scope of the NTSB’s recommendations. Piecemeal reforms are not enough when lives are at stake. Additionally, provisions in the bill raise serious national security concerns by potentially exposing sensitive military capabilities and operations.

I am proud to cosponsor the bipartisan Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, which takes a comprehensive approach by addressing all fifty NTSB recommendations while safeguarding sensitive military systems. The ALERT Act strengthens aviation safety by advancing collision mitigation technologies for military helicopters, modernizing air traffic control procedures, improving coordination between the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration, and reinforcing safety standards across military aviation operations.

We owe it to the victims and their families to enact meaningful reforms that fully address the causes of this tragedy. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to deliver responsible, comprehensive aviation safety legislation.”