ROTOR Act
Introduced Jul 29, 2025 by Sen. Ted Cruz
The Senate passed it. The House has to pass it before it can reach the President.
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.
Read the full summary on Congress.govSummary by the Congressional Research Service.
- Feb 24, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
- Feb 24, 2026Failed 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).
- Feb 24, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2277)
- Feb 23, 2026At 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.
- Feb 23, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2503.
- Feb 23, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2248-2257)
- Feb 23, 2026Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Dec 18, 2025Held at the desk.
- Dec 18, 2025Received in the House.
- Dec 18, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Dec 17, 2025Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8813-8817)
- Dec 17, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Dec 17, 2025The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Dec 17, 2025Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8811-8817)
- Nov 18, 2025Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 269.
- Nov 18, 2025Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Oct 21, 2025Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Jul 29, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Jul 29, 2025Introduced in Senate