House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Adam Smith praised the committee's passage of H.R. 7613, the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, according to a Mar. 26 announcement.
The bill addresses critical issues in national airspace safety following a fatal midair collision in 2025 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that resulted in the loss of 67 lives. The legislation aims to implement all recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and improve coordination between civilian and military aircraft operations.
“We owe it to the victims of last year’s tragedy and to their families to take action to ensure that this never happens again,” Rogers said. “The ALERT Act takes a comprehensive approach by fully implementing all of the NTSB recommendations, strengthening coordination in our nation’s airspace, and addressing critical national security concerns. I’m proud of the Armed Services Committee’s work and our partnership with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to deliver real solutions. I look forward to this legislation advancing with the support of my colleagues so we can get it across the finish line and make our skies safer for everyone.”
Smith said, “The loss of 67 lives over the Potomac last year was a devastating tragedy made all the worse because it was 100 percent preventable. The collision highlighted longstanding systemic failures in how civilian and military aircraft operate in shared airspace, and we have seen multiple incidents since that fateful day that further demonstrate a continued lack of coordination between the FAA and the Department of Defense. The ALERT Act is a meaningful step forward in addressing those fundamental flaws. I’m proud of the work of this committee in taking this important step to honor the lives lost that day. I am also thankful for the efforts of their loved ones, who have valiantly channeled their grief into action to ensure this never happens again.”
According to its official website, notable members on the House Armed Services Committee include Representatives Joe Wilson, Michael R. Turner, and Robert J. Wittman; Rep. Mike Rogers served as chair during both the 118th-119th Congress; its jurisdiction is defined under Rule X for matters relating to national defense; it oversees programs related to defense agencies including community project funding through legislation such as National Defense Authorization Acts; finally, it operates as part of congressional oversight for military affairs.
Title II provisions within ALERT require rapid adoption by Department of Defense aircraft—excluding fighters, bombers, or unmanned craft—of advanced collision prevention technology within one year after enactment; full integration is mandated by December 2031 along with new aviation safety management systems per department plus expanded flight data monitoring programs based on real-world data.
