POLITICS

Senators Push To Remove NDAA Section After Crash

PUBLISHED Dec 15, 2025, 4:48 PM ET

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Senators Push To Remove NDAA Section After Crash

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Sources: 9

Center 78%

Right 22%

Sources: 9

Washington Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell urged Congress Monday to remove Section 373 from the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, saying it would allow military helicopters to operate near commercial traffic without broadcasting precise locations after the January 29 midair collision that killed 67. They filed bipartisan amendments proposing the ROTOR Act and held a joint press conference with victims’ families. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he hoped to hold a vote this week to consider adding the ROTOR Act to a funding package before government funding lapses. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

January 29, 2025: Midair collision near Reagan National Airport killed 67.
Summer 2025: Senators Cruz and Cantwell originally introduced the ROTOR Act.
Last week: Bipartisan amendments were filed to strike Section 373 from the FY2026 NDAA.
This week: Cruz and Cantwell held a press conference with victims’ families urging removal of Section 373.
This week: Cruz warned he may hold up government funding at the end of January if reforms are not passed.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 9
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 7

Who Benefited

If enacted, the ROTOR Act and removal of Section 373 would primarily benefit air-safety advocates, victims’ families seeking accountability, and commercial passengers by restoring requirements for military aircraft to broadcast precise locations in congested airspace.

Who Impacted

Removing Section 373 and imposing stricter broadcast requirements could constrain some military flight operations and impose additional procedural and administrative burdens on defense flight planners and units operating in constrained airspace.

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