Kaine Statement Regarding Aviation Safety Provision in Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the aviation safety provision in the final, conferenced Fiscal Year 2026 defense bill:

“I was proud to work alongside the families of those who lost loved ones in the January 29 crash near DCA to secure a provision in the Senate-passed annual defense bill to require all DOD aircraft that operate near commercial airports to be equipped with broadcast positioning technology. Congressional leaders watered my provision down to accommodate DOD concerns. While this final provision is a smaller step forward than I wanted, I will work to ensure that it won’t be the last. In the coming weeks, the NTSB and Army are releasing their reports regarding the crash, which will provide guidance as Congress considers additional steps the DOD and the FAA can take to avoid catastrophe in the future, including reducing commercial air traffic to and from DCA.”

###