Thune floats Cruz vote on DC flight safety after NDAA dispute

Published December 15, 2025 7:40pm ET



A dispute over air safety at Reagan Airport could be resolved as part of the next package of spending bills, according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, may get a vote on his ROTOR Act when the Senate takes up a set of five appropriations bills, likely early next year. The bill sets new standards for aviation safety after a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger jet in January, killing 67 people, but was excluded from a defense bill in favor of House language that is considered more lenient.

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