Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, spoke at a memorial event marking one year since the mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport that resulted in 67 deaths. The incident involved a U.S. Army helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342.
At the event titled “Honoring the 67 & Unsung Heroes,” Cruz addressed families affected by the tragedy. He acknowledged their efforts in working with him to develop the ROTOR Act, which aims to improve aviation safety.
In his prepared remarks, Cruz stated: “One year ago, tragedy struck just a few miles from here over the Potomac River. 67 souls were tragically lost in an instant.
“Every one of the lives lost mattered; every person lost is missed terribly. Unfortunately, for many in the audience tonight, it is a loss that you carry every single day.
“Yet, amid unimaginable grief, over the past year, I have witnessed extraordinary strength. I have witnessed resilience, courage, and determination. Instead of turning inward, you chose to stand up, speak out, and insist that no other family endure the pain you have faced.
“Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you personally. Hearing about your loved ones, your stories, your frustrations, and your hopes has helped to shape the work we’ve done and only strengthened my resolve. I remember meeting with Tim and Sheri Lilley the week of the crash and many family members of others lost many times since.
“After the crash it became clear that serious gaps had allowed this accident to happen. Gaps in oversight, coordination, and regulation that allowed an area of intolerable risk to persist.
“I know this isn’t a political event and policy isn’t the focus, but I want to convey a real message – in Congress, we have made serious progress in advancing the ROTOR Act, bipartisan aviation safety legislation. We’re very close to having it become law and I’m hopeful our House colleagues will come around and pass it. I don’t know if the reforms being debated would have come together without the tenacious advocacy from family members here tonight. For that, I want to say thank you. Thank you for investing your time, energy, and grief into action.
“I am committed to seeing this work through, honoring the lives lost by ensuring that meaningful aviation safety reforms become law.
“While we cannot change the past, we can work together to create a safer future – one that honors your loved ones not just for how they were lost, but for the enduring impact their lives have made.”
Senator Cruz’s recent legislative activity follows previous electoral victories: he won re-election against Colin Allred in 2024 with 53.1% of votes compared to Allred’s 44.6%, defeated Beto O’Rourke in 2018 with 50.9% versus O’Rourke’s 48.3%, and first secured his seat by defeating Paul Sadler in 2012 with 56.5% over Sadler’s 40.6%.
