S. 2503 Failed Transportation and Public Works

ROTOR Act

A bill to require all aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In, to improve aviation safety, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] Introduced July 29, 2025 Cosponsors 21 (10 R, 11 D) Latest action February 24, 2026

Summary

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.
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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

  • HouseFeb 24, 2026·Roll 72·S. 2503
    ROTOR Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
    Failed264–133
    R 77–132 D 187–1

Actions

  1. 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).
  2. Feb 24, 2026 Failed 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).
  3. Feb 24, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2277)
  4. Feb 23, 2026 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  5. Feb 23, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2503.
  6. Feb 23, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2248-2257)
  7. Feb 23, 2026 Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  8. Dec 18, 2025 Held at the desk.
  9. Dec 18, 2025 Received in the House.
  10. Dec 18, 2025 Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  11. Dec 17, 2025 Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8813-8817)
  12. Dec 17, 2025 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

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