Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, which would reopen the Department of Homeland Security, allowing it to return to its mission of protecting our homeland and paying the personnel entrusted with doing so: 

“Every additional day Democrat leadership allows their shutdown to continue represents more lost paychecks, more airport delays for travelers, more risks to the homeland, and weakened readiness across our national security operations. Where the other side fails, House Republicans step up and make it clear whose priorities we represent – the American people’s,” said Congressman Cole.

“The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act reflects a simple choice: do you want to defend national security or defund it? I voted for our TSA, Secret Service, Coast Guard, cybersecurity experts, FEMA, and all DHS personnel who don’t get to walk away from their duties. Senate Democrats can act now to resolve this. All they have to do is vote ‘yes’ and bring this shutdown to an end. This should not be a partisan issue, as it is about responsibility, safety, and delivering stability for the American people,” said Congressman Cole. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement on the passing of Bernie Bluestein, a World War II “Ghost Army” veteran and longtime community leader, while highlighting his ongoing efforts to rename a Palatine post office in Bluestein’s honor:

“Bernie Bluestein lived a life defined by courage, creativity, and service, from his role in the World War II Ghost Army to decades of impact on our community. He embodied the very best of America and the quiet heroism that helped secure our freedom. I am proud to honor his memory through my legislation to rename the Palatine post office in his honor and urge its swift consideration in the House. My thoughts are with his family, and may his memory be a blessing.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, joined over 20 colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on deteriorating Forest Service trail conditions due to insufficient maintenance by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which has threatened visitor safety and outdoor recreation access for millions of Americans. 

“We write with serious concern that, despite your stated intent to prioritize outdoor access and improve visitor experiences, the USFS trail maintenance operations have been hamstrung by layoffs, hiring restrictions, budget cuts and other policies that make it harder for staff to do their jobs and meet agency objectives,” the letter states. 

“The USFS manages over 164,000 miles of trails, more than any other land management agency. Americans cherish the USFS trail network, which serves 84 million visitors annually. Public lands recreation contributes $128 billion to our national economy. Despite the clear value of trails and the agency’s stated focus on outdoor access, conditions on the ground are deteriorating.”

The letter concluded: “Over the last year, we have lost skilled workers, critical staff roles and vast amounts of local knowledge. At current staffing levels and with existing challenges, USFS has concluded that ‘many [ranger] districts are unable to conduct basic trail maintenance. Front-country trails are being prioritized; backcountry trails are being abandoned. Deferred maintenance is exponentially compounding.’ Given that USFS has acknowledged these issues internally, it is imperative that our constituents understand how you plan to address the deterioration in outdoor access and better maintain trails this year.” 

Read the full letter HERE.

Rep. Neguse and his colleagues also demanded that USFS leadership answer specific questions on the agency’s plan to address the deterioration in outdoor access and better maintain trails ahead of the upcoming summer season. 

The lawmakers gave USFS until March 31, 2026, to respond to the following: 

1. How will the USFS address the issues in the report before the summer field season?

2. How will the USFS restore sufficient staffing to prevent the proliferation of “unpassable trails, unsafe bridges and negative environmental impacts” as detailed in this report?

3. We understand the USFS has recently authorized national forests to hire a limited number of seasonal temporary recreation positions, commonly referred to by the agency as 1039s. Hiring seasonal recreation staff is a positive step compared to 2025 when forests could not hire temporary seasonal trail crews and wilderness rangers, but the USFS is still limiting overall hiring. Is the agency planning to continue limiting the number of seasonal staff who can be hired regardless of the funding source for these positions?

4. If a national forest has outside grants, local funding and other non-appropriated dollars available, how does the public benefit from restricting national forests’ use of those resources to hire seasonal staff and implement on-the-ground projects?

5. The Trail Program Status Report notes that the USFS currently limits the seasons for Permanent Seasonal Employee (PSE) positions even when those staff are externally funded or responding to natural disasters. Does the USFS plan to increase flexibility around PSE positions in FY26 to better utilize its existing workforce to address the problems detailed in this report?

6. How does the USFS plan to address challenges with grant and agreements capacity so that partners and volunteers can better support agency priorities?

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Washington, D.C.— Today, Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Co-Founder & Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families, filed brand new legislation to establish comprehensive mandatory minimum nurse staffing standards in nursing homes.  

For decades, researchers have clearly established a link between higher staffing levels and improvements in the safety and quality of care delivered to nursing home residents. Yet, Trump outrageously repealed minimum staffing rules at the behest of nursing home executives who donated to his campaign. Meanwhile, his draconian immigration policies and ICE abuses are harming the care workforce, and his “Big Beautiful Bill” enacted the largest health care cut in U.S. history—cuts expected to trigger nursing home closures.

The Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act will establish statutory, mandatory, minimum nurse staffing standards with strong enforceable penalties.  The bill text can be found here and a bill summary can be found here.

“Once again, the corrupt Trump regime has sold off the best interests of Americans to the highest bidder—repealing modest rules after nursing home executives donated to the Trump campaign,” said Congressman Doggett.  “This legislation provides the accountability these executives, often backed by private equity, have dodged for too long. Vulnerable nursing home residents with complex needs, and the compassionate nursing staff caring for them, deserve comprehensive, enforceable staffing standards to ensure their safety, health, and dignity.”

“Every person in the United States deserves to age with dignity and have access to high-quality long-term care. Yet for too long, our nation has failed to establish a sustainable, comprehensive long-term care policy,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “This critical legislation would require nursing homes to provide a minimum of 4.1 hours of direct care per resident each day and ensure a registered nurse is on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Study after study shows that stronger staffing standards lead to better patient outcomes and higher-quality care. It is past time that we act on the evidence, hold facilities accountable, and ensure every resident receives the person-centered care they deserve.”

“Care workers have been sounding the alarm for decades about the dangers of understaffed nursing homes—both for the health and safety of these critical workers and the seniors whose lives are in their hands,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “The Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act sets minimum standards on staffing to ensure that safety and care never takes a back seat to corporate profits. We commend Rep. Doggett for his leadership on decent staffing standards that will protect America’s workers and save lives.” 

“Chronic short staffing has plagued our nation’s nursing homes for decades, with 1.3 million Americans living in understaffed facilities on any given day. Nursing home workers are stretched too thin and receive poverty wages to care for our parents and grandparents.,” said SEIU Vice President Leslie Frane. “As the nation’s largest healthcare union, SEIU members demand that Congress stand with us and the people we care for by passing the Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act. All of us deserve to age with dignity and receive high-quality care, but until we fix the dangerous gaps in our long-term care system, we are failing families across the country.”

“Care providers and staff at nursing homes are doing everything they can to ensure our loved ones are living with dignity, but across the country, these essential workers are stretched thin, often working long hours, nights and weekends for low pay,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “Instead of supporting them, the Trump administration is actively rolling back safe staffing standards for nursing homes, undermining efforts to improve life-sustaining care. The Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act, led by Reps. Schakowsky and Doggett, would help ensure safe staffing at nursing homes by establishing clear, enforceable requirements — including 24/7 registered nurse coverage and minimum hours of care per resident. We urge Congress to pass it.” 

“National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care strongly supports the Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act and is extremely grateful to Representatives Doggett and Schakowsky for introducing this legislation. It is irrefutable that nursing homes with higher staffing levels have better health outcomes and quality of life for residents,” said National Consumer Voice Public Policy Director Sam Brooks. “Understaffing has plagued nursing homes for decades and is the primary driver of poor health outcomes in nursing homes. The Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act relies on decades of research to establish a minimum staffing standard that will help ensure residents receive high-quality care and live in safe homes.”

“Many nursing home problems, including falls, bed sores, malnutrition, and infections, are the direct result of nursing homes cutting corners and not having enough staff on duty,” said Eric Carlson, Directing Attorney at Justice in Aging. “The Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act will do what it says – save lives – by requiring nursing homes to maintain safe staffing levels for nurses and nurse aides.  Nursing homes receive tens of billions of federal dollars annually, and it’s about time that residents receive the care that they deserve.”

“Having adequate staffing in nursing homes improves patients’ health and saves lives. Having sufficient staff to ensure resident wellbeing shouldn’t be controversial, but the reality is that the health and safety of residents is imperiled every day in far too many facilities. Whether it is because a company wants to cut corners or private equity is trying to extract maximum profit, the risks of insufficient staff are just too high to be left to the whim of nursing home owners,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen. “The Safe Staffing Saves Live Act is commonsense and an important step toward reforming our broken health care system.”

Additional Background:

Following the first COVID-19 outbreak in the United States at a nursing facility in Washington, Rep. Doggett convened a hearing in the Ways & Means Health Subcommittee concerning the safety and quality of care in nursing homes.  He subsequently led Ways & Means Democrats in oversight efforts concerning the accuracy of nursing home data.  He later led efforts pressing for reinstatement of nurse aide training requirements.

In 2023, Reps. Doggett and Schakowsky led over 100 colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to use its authority under the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 to establish staffing standards.  Heeding their call, CMS eventually finalized modest regulations, which Trump subsequently repealed.  The Safe Staffing Saves Lives Act establishes mandatory, statutory, minimum nurse staffing standards and additional enforceable penalties that go beyond the previous rulemaking.  With an increasingly aging population with complex medical needs, it is essential that nursing homes have sufficient nurse staffing. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Today, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced the House companion to Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) Competition and Openness in Markets to Promote Efficiency, Transparency, and Enhanced Affordability (COMPETE) Act, legislation to expand access to affordable health insurance options for families and small businesses.

The legislation would restore and expand access to Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI) plans, allowing them to be offered for up to 12 months with guaranteed renewal options. These reforms aim to provide Americans with more flexibility and lower-cost alternatives to plans created under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

“For years, families and small businesses have faced rising health insurance costs driven by federal mandates under Obamacare,” Grothman said. “The COMPETE Act restores commonsense flexibility by allowing Americans and employers to choose coverage that fits their needs and their budgets. By expanding access to short-term plans with guaranteed renewals, we can lower premiums, increase competition, and create more health care options for small businesses that are struggling to keep up with rising costs.”

“Obamacare reduced health insurance options and caused premiums to skyrocket. This legislation will promote more competition, provide consumers with more choices, and allow Americans to choose the healthcare coverage that fits their needs and budgets. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation expeditiously.” – Senator Ted Cruz

Background Information

Rising health insurance costs have placed a growing burden on families and small business owners, with many Americans struggling to afford coverage that meets their needs. Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance (STLDI) plans exist outside the Affordable Care Act marketplace and provide more flexible, lower-cost options with faster access to coverage.

The COMPETE Act maintains the 2018 Trump Administration definition of STLDI plans and builds on it by allowing insurance companies to offer plans with renewal guarantees without requiring additional underwriting. Under the legislation, insurers would be permitted to:

• Offer Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance plans for up to 12 months
• Provide plans with guaranteed renewal options without additional underwriting

Supporting organizations for the legislation include The National Federation of Independent Business and The Foundation for Government Accountability.

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, Raskin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Tackle America’s Mental Health Crisis

Washington – Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) today introduced bipartisan legislation to invest in critically needed initiatives that help Americans experiencing mental health crises. As a rising number of Americans struggle with their mental health, the Stabilization to Prevent (STOP) Suicide Act would provide federal funding to organizations in our communities that are already working to support people in crisis and in recovery.

“People experiencing serious thoughts of suicide often find themselves without support and timely treatment,” said Rep. Bacon. “The STOP Suicide Act will provide an important tool that will help create needed programs to deliver outpatient or telehealth stabilization services. I’m pleased to join Rep. Raskin on this legislation that will help community health centers, rural health clinics, and others create and manage these programs.”

“Tens of millions of Americans have either suffered a mental health crisis or know a close loved one who has,” said Rep. Raskin. “For too many, seeking help can feel frightening or out of reach. Our bipartisan bills will help mental health care providers do their jobs and expand access to care for the many Americans who need it.”

The STOP Suicide Act expands access to evidence-based stabilization care for individuals with serious thoughts of suicide. Stabilization services can help patients reduce or eliminate imminent suicide risk and manage dangerous impulses, keeping them safe while relieving pressure on law enforcement and emergency rooms. This legislation will create a new grant program at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand access to effective and timely outpatient and virtual stabilization care and treatment.

“In 2023, 49,316 people died by suicide and 12.8 million adults experienced serious thoughts of suicide in the United States. Research shows that even brief evidence-based suicide interventions can help people manage suicidal thoughts and increase connection to follow-up care,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “AFSP is proud to support the Stabilization to Prevent (STOP) Suicide Act, which supports suicide-specific stabilization services for individuals experiencing serious thoughts of suicide, helping people access interventions in the least restrictive setting possible, while relieving pressure on emergency departments and law enforcement. AFSP thanks Representative Raskin and Representative Bacon for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this important legislation.

This legislation is endorsed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the American Psychological Association.

If you need immediate mental-health support at any time of day, dial 988 to be connected to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Counselors can also be reached by text message or online chat. You may also dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Read the full text of the Stop Suicide Act here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday evening, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) hosted a telephone town hall to talk about his work in Washington and the district and how House Democrats are committed to lowering the cost of living for everyday Americans. 

“It was my pleasure to hear from so many constituents during my telephone town hall. We discussed a wide range of local and national issues affecting families across California’s 36th District. 
 
“I heard from many constituents concerned about the integrity of our upcoming elections. I share those concerns. Democrats are working closely with civil society organizations, nonprofits, civil rights groups, and state attorneys general to prepare legal strategies, coordinate lawyers and election observers, and respond to potential threats. We are also actively opposing the SAVE Act, which would make it much harder for many Americans to vote, especially those without passports or birth certificates, including married women whose legal names no longer match their birth records. 
 
“These are perilous times, and the strength of our democracy depends on the participation and vigilance of the people. Democrats in Congress will continue doing everything possible to defend our democratic institutions. Ultimately it will be the American people who determine the direction of the country by speaking out and participating in the democratic process in the coming months. 
 
“We covered many other issues during the town hall. Forums like these give me the opportunity to hear directly from constituents, and I am always grateful to represent such an engaged and thoughtful community.”

For more opportunities to hear directly from the Congressman, subscribe to our newsletter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn (SC-06) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) reintroduced bicameral legislation to modernize America’s voter registration system and protect voting rights. The Voter Empowerment Act (VEA) would expand voter registration and voting access by requiring states to make online voter registration available, establish automatic voter registration systems, permit same-day voter registration, and accept voter registration applications from citizens under the age of 18.

“The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy. While it should be a sacred and affirmed right for every eligible American, unfettered access to the ballot box continues to be under attack across the country, including with the dangerous SAVE America Act that Trump and MAGA Republicans are trying to ram through Congress,” said Congressman Clyburn. “Our democracy is only as strong as our ability to protect it. With President Trump openly boasting that the goal of the SAVE America Act is to guarantee election results regardless of the will of the voters, I urge my colleagues to join me in safeguarding the integrity of our elections.”

“As Republicans across the country seek to pass voter suppression laws that will disenfranchise millions of voters, we must do more to make sure that voting is fair and accessible for all Americans,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Voter Empowerment Act is commonsense legislation to modernize voter registration and protect our elections from interference. I am proud to introduce it alongside my good friend Rep. Clyburn, and I am determined to get it passed.”

In recent years, many states have passed new voting restrictions, from limits on absentee ballots to onerous voter ID requirements. These restrictions were empowered by the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder (2013) overturning preclearance requirements from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – allowing states to pass restrictive voting legislation without federal oversight. As of late 2024, at least 31 states had passed 114 new restrictive voting laws in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling. 

The reintroduction of the VEA also comes as President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress are trying to further restrict voting and voter registration through the SAVE America Act.

The VEA responds to recently proposed federal and state-level restrictions by improving and protecting voter registration for all voters. Specifically, the bill would:

Modernize and streamline voter registration. The bill would require states to provide both same-day and online registration – including the option to update personal information online. States would also be required to automatically register voters whose information passes through another state or federal agency.

Prohibit interference in voter registration. The VEA would prohibit anyone from hindering another person from registering to vote and outlaw voter caging – the practice of removing voters from voter rolls because mail sent to them was returned to sender.

Improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The VEA would require a broad range of improvements to voter registration, polling places, and absentee voting to better accommodate individuals with disabilities. 

Increase and protect access to the ballot box. The bill would establish minimum requirements for early voting access, prevent states from adding extra conditions to absentee voting, and require states to notify individuals when their polling place changes. The bill would also protect the right to vote for convicted criminals (unless actively serving a felony sentence) and allow a sworn written statement or student ID to fulfill state-mandated ID requirements.

Permanently reauthorize the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The VEA would also direct the EAC to provide grants for states to implement activities that advance and secure the right to vote, including the recruiting and training of poll workers.   

The full text of the VEA can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) are today introducing the Prevent an Unconstitutional War in Cuba Act to block President Trump from using any federal funding to use military force in or against the Republic of Cuba without Congressional authorization.

“Trump has started illegal regime change conflicts in Venezuela and Iran and is now threatening Cuba. These military attacks put our troops in danger, endanger innocent civilians, waste billions of taxpayer dollars, and are not what the American people want,” said Jayapal. “Trump promised to end forever wars — he lied. Congress alone has the power to declare war, something Trump clearly does not respect. He has no plan to improve conditions for the Cuban people or promote democracy, and we must pass this legislation to block him from acting on a whim.”

“Cuba is not for Donald Trump to take, and today we stand firm against the illegal use of the U.S. military to pursue turning Cuba into another playground for Trump’s chaotic adventurism. Such a reckless course would risk American lives, cost taxpayers billions, and, in all likelihood, leave the underlying political and economic conditions unchanged. The United States cannot bomb Cuba out of economic collapse or political repression—lasting change must come through empowering the Cuban people, not doubling down on a failed approach that disproportionately harms them,”said Ranking Member Meeks. 

President Trump and Secretary Rubio are doubling down on a decades-long, failed “maximum pressure” policy on Cuba that has inflicted disproportionate harm on the Cuban people while doing little to foster change on the island. The Trump administration is imposing an oil blockade that has led to the collapse of Cuba’s already fragile energy infrastructure and is only exacerbating suffering on the island. In recent days, Trump stated, “I do believe I’ll have the honor of taking Cuba.”

This legislation would prevent Trump from using taxpayer dollars to introduce military force in Cuba without prior Congressional authorization or in response to an imminent threat or as self-defense.

The full text of the bill can be read here.

The legislation is also sponsored by Gabe Amo (RI-01), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04),  Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after voting in the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to support the ALERT Act, bipartisan legislation she introduced to modernize aviation safety systems, strengthen air traffic controller training, and reduce the risk of future tragedies. The bill is supported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which investigates aviation accidents and issues recommendations to prevent future incidents.

“Since last year’s devastating midair collision, I’ve stayed in close contact with the Kansas families who lost loved ones. Their grief is something no one should have to carry — and their courage in pushing for meaningful change has guided this process every step of the way.

“I’m proud to have helped lead the bipartisan ALERT Act and to vote for it today because it reflects their voices and has earned strong support from aviation safety experts. It takes important, evidence-based steps to strengthen training, modernize safety systems, and reduce the risk of future midair collisions.

“No bill can undo the pain these families have experienced. But we have a responsibility to listen, to act, and to make our aviation system safer for everyone — from passengers and crew to military personnel and communities on the ground. This is an important step forward, but it is not final. I also voted to pass reforms proposed by the Senate and I’ll keep working with Kansas families, safety experts, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strengthen the final product, work through differences, and deliver a solution that improves safety while bringing everyone to the table.”

Background:

On January 29, 2025, Flight 5342 departed Wichita, KS (ICT), bound for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). As the flight approached its destination, it collided midair with a military training helicopter, tragically killing the two pilots, two flight attendants, and 60 passengers on the airplane, along with all three crew members aboard the helicopter.

The ALERT Act, split between civilian air travel and military aircraft safety, is informed by recommendations from the NTSB and addresses concerns about airspace congestion, communication failures, outdated collision-avoidance systems, and coordination between civilian and military aircraft. 

Specifically, the ALERT Act would:

• Upgrade Aircraft Collision Warning Systems
  • Direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to evaluate and implement improvements to advanced collision-avoidance technology on commercial aircraft.
  • Establish a timeline for deploying updated systems that provide earlier and clearer warnings to pilots.
• Strengthen Air Traffic Controller Training
  • Create expert working groups to modernize controller training standards.
  • Improve risk assessment tools to help controllers identify hazards in real time.
  • Increase transparency if safety recommendations are not adopted.
• Improve Airspace Communication
  • Study technology that detects “blocked transmissions,” which occur when radio messages overlap and critical information is lost.
  • Provide Congress with cost and implementation recommendations.
• Review Airspace Congestion and Airport Capacity
  • Require the FAA to assess safe arrival and departure rates at congested airports.
  • Review aircraft spacing requirements in complex airspace environments.
• Enhance Military Aviation Safety
  • Require closer coordination between the Department of Defense and the FAA on collision-avoidance systems.
  • Strengthen helicopter safety management systems, particularly in shared civilian-military airspace.
• And more

Davids also previously voted to support the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act – a bipartisan bill aimed at improving aviation safety standards. Although it failed to pass the U.S. House, it is supported by the victims’ families and safety professionals. 

Following the tragic collision, Davids has taken several additional steps to improve aviation safety and honor the lives lost:

• Met with the victims’ families in Wichita and pledged to be a voice for transparency and reform in the investigation.
• Pressed FAA and NTSB experts in a U.S. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on air traffic controller shortages and safety protocols.
• Toured the Olathe Air Traffic Control Center to highlight critical staffing needs and renew her call for increased investments in aviation safety infrastructure.
• Responded to initial NTSB recommendations with a commitment to act on any legislative fixes needed to keep passengers and crew safe.
• Pledged to act on recommendations from an initial NTSB investigative hearing on the tragic midair collision.
• Honored the one-year anniversary by submitting a statement into the Congressional Record pledging continued action to prevent future tragedies.

Davids serves on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has long championed bipartisan efforts to support innovation and strengthen aviation safety standards, including by helping pass into law a bipartisan FAA reauthorization.