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New bill would require aircraft to see nearby planes on screen by 2031

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Sponsor: Ted Cruz · Senator · TX

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
Read the official text

Official title: ROTOR Act

119th Congress

Topics: Jobs & the economy

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

The ROTOR Act requires aircraft to adopt "ADS-B In" collision-avoidance tech by December 31, 2031, and tightens rules on hiding military flight locations.

40-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

The ROTOR Act requires the FAA to write rules within about two years mandating "ADS-B In" equipment, which shows pilots nearby aircraft on a screen, with full compliance by December 31, 2031. It also narrows when government and military aircraft can fly without broadcasting their location, requires reporting when they do, and orders safety reviews of major airports like Reagan National plus better FAA-military information-sharing.

Who does it affect?

Airlines, pilots, aircraft owners, the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), other government agencies operating aircraft, and the FAA, which takes on new rulemaking and reporting duties.

Why does it matter?

The changes respond to near-miss and collision risks between military helicopters, commercial planes, and other aircraft in crowded airspace, aiming to give pilots and controllers better information about nearby flights.

AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.

Based on the “Engrossed in Senate” text of Dec 17, 2025.

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

Make the call

The last attempt failed: a House vote to pass it fell short of the two-thirds this fast-track vote needs, 264–133, on February 24, 2026.

Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.

Where do you stand?

Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJul 29, 2025
  2. Senate committee
  3. Senate vote
  4. HouseYou are here · Feb 24, 2026
  5. The president's desk

Right now: a House vote to pass it fell short of the two-thirds this fast-track vote needs, 264–133. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.

Latest action: — On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).

Data as of October 9, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 72

    As recorded

    Question
    On Motion to and Pass
    Result:
    Failed
    264
    Nay
    133
    0
    35

    Republicans 77 yes, 132 no, 9 not voting · Democrats 187 yes, 1 no, 26 not voting

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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