The leaders of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have released a joint statement in response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) recommendations following the January 29, 2025, midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident resulted in 67 fatalities.
The statement was issued by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA).
“Now that we have received the approved recommendations and probable cause from the NTSB on the tragic DCA midair collision that claimed 67 lives, and with the NTSB’s final report expected in a matter of days, we are working on a comprehensive legislative solution to address what we’ve learned.
"It is our firm belief that meaningful improvements to the safety of our airspace require the full and fair consideration of all of the NTSB’s recommendations. We are continuing to evaluate the information and analysis gathered and put forward by the NTSB, and we will work together expeditiously on legislation to ensure a crash like this can never happen again.”
The House Armed Services Committee includes members such as Joe Wilson, Michael R. Turner, and Robert J. Wittman, according to its official website. The committee oversees programs related to national defense, including those involving the Armed Forces under U.S. Code jurisdiction [source]. Mike Rogers has served as chair for both the 118th and 119th Congress sessions [source]. The committee plays a role in shaping legislation through mechanisms like community project funding within acts such as the National Defense Authorization Act [source].
Additionally, its operations are defined by Rule X of the U.S. House Rules for matters concerning national defense [source], placing it under congressional oversight for military affairs [source].
