FAA would have to apply uniform pilot rest rules to all commercial flights
In committeeH.R. 7191Latest action
Sponsor: Hillary J. Scholten · Representative · MI
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Official title: Fatigued Pilot Protection Act
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 7191 gives the FAA 180 days to extend strict pilot fatigue rules to every Part 121 commercial airline, closing a current exemption.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 7191 directs the FAA to eliminate an existing gap that lets some Part 121 commercial airline pilots skip the stricter rest and duty-hour limits set by Part 117. The FAA would have 180 days from enactment to update its rules so that no Part 121 pilot operation is exempt from those science-based fatigue protections.
Who does it affect?
The bill directly affects airline pilots and the carriers that employ them, specifically any Part 121 airlines currently operating outside Part 117 rest requirements. Commercial air travelers are also affected, since the change would apply to the pilots operating their flights regardless of airline or operation type.
Why does it matter?
Pilot fatigue has been identified as a contributing factor in fatal plane crashes, which was the basis for creating Part 117 rules in the first place. Extending those rules uniformly would mean no commercial passenger flight operates with a pilot who is exempt from the federal rest standards.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 21, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Jan 22, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.