U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered remarks on March 26 during the full committee markup of H.R. 7613, known as the ALERT Act.
The markup session addressed a portion of the ALERT Act that falls under the jurisdiction of the House Armed Services Committee. The legislation is focused on improving aviation safety following last year’s midair collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger jet near Reagan National Airport.
Rogers said, “It is uncommon for HASC to mark up legislation outside of the NDAA. But this is critically needed legislation to improve aviation safety, and it cannot wait.” He added that recommendations from a recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation have been incorporated into Title II of the bill: “Title II of the ALERT Act carries out all 13 of these recommendations.” According to Rogers, “the NTSB states that the bill before us not only meets their recommendations but, in most cases, exceeds them.”
He also explained that while some NTSB recommendations targeted Army training and safety management systems specifically, “the ALERT Act requires all the military services to make these safety improvements. Not just the Army.” Additionally, he said concerns raised by other departments were addressed: “The bill before us ensures our bombers, fighters, and other classified aircraft can continue to execute their critical national security missions without revealing their location to our enemies.”
The House Armed Services Committee includes notable members such as Reps. Joe Wilson, Michael R. Turner and Robert J. Wittman according to its official website. The committee oversees programs related to national defense under U.S. Code according to its official website and operates under jurisdiction defined in Rule X for matters involving national defense according to its official website. Rogers has served as chair for both the 118th and 119th Congresses according to its official website.
As part of his closing remarks during his prepared statement for delivery at this session’s opening, Rogers expressed gratitude: “I thank the NTSB and the Pentagon for working with us throughout this process... Finally, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families... And I thank PAT Two-Five and Flight 5342 families for their tireless efforts...”
The work reflects broader congressional oversight responsibilities over national defense issues as described by its official website, including influencing major legislation like community project funding through processes such as those used with previous National Defense Authorization Acts.
