Ted Cruz looks to force changes to military flights near airports, after deadly airline crash

Politico

6 days ago

'Leaders became complacent, and we had warnings of near-misses in the D.C. airspace — unacceptable,' he said, adding that upholding safety standards is 'not partisan.'
'I look forward to working with you and your colleagues to advance this cause,' he said.
Cruz's bill also would require the FAA to issue a rule requiring all civilian aircraft operating near airports to have the ADS-B technology that would allow other aircraft to see one another; the same standard would apply for military and law enforcement aircraft, according to a summary of the changes provided to the media on Tuesday.
'This legislation will save lives,' added Homendy, who will lead this week's NTSB fact-finding hearings into the crash. Homendy said the ADSB-In provision itself — which the independent agency has been calling for more than 20 years — will be 'a game changer, when it comes to safety.'
Earlier this year, the FAA prohibited Army flights to and from the Pentagon within Washington airspace until the agency finished reviewing its agreement with the DOD that governs the procedures to access that airspace. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford on Tuesday said that agreement was nearly complete, and would still give some leeway 'to support our warfighters' training needs,' but did not elaborate further.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the committee's ranking member, introduced similar legislation, S. 1985, earlier this year. It also would require the FAA to establish a coordination office to oversee military aircraft flights and also prompt carriers to include ADSB-In within four years of the bill's passage.
Doug Lane, speaking on behalf of the families of those lost on board the regional PSA Airlines flight, on Tuesday lauded Cruz's particular provision for 'stronger ADS-B requirements in the bill, as well as the requirement for the Army inspector general to conduct an audit into the Army's role in her accident.' Lane lost his wife and son in the crash.
The Army inspector general would also have to probe any systemic issues that contributed to the Jan. 29 incident, which was the worst U.S. aviation disaster in more than two decades.
The legislation would require a review of all helicopter routes that come in close proximity to other aircraft across the country, which the FAA in part has already begun since the January crash. The same applies to a study specific to airspace surrounding Reagan National, according to the summary of the legislation provided to media.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) also introduced a limited bill that would bar all aircraft, including military aircraft, from operating in congested airspace unless the aircraft has ADS–B In and ADS–B Out equipment. Moran is also a sponsor of Cruz's bill, and on Tuesday said Cruz adopted his provision into the larger bill.
Sam Ogozalek contributed to this report.