Why it Matters
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold a markup on Wednesday, July 15, to consider legislation that would reshape aviation regulation and transportation policy.
The committee will weigh bills to modernize the Federal Aviation Administration's aircraft certification process, permit civil supersonic passenger aircraft under certain conditions, strengthen connected vehicle security, and improve broadband and disaster communications. The markup comes as the FAA advances efforts to lift restrictions on supersonic flight that have kept civil supersonic aircraft out of U.S. airspace for more than 50 years.
The timing reflects continued momentum in the aerospace sector. In early July, the FAA published a proposed rule to repeal its longstanding prohibition on civil supersonic flight over U.S. land, a restriction in place since 1973. Two manufacturers are developing civil supersonic passenger aircraft, and the agency has begun issuing special flight authorizations for unmanned supersonic systems. The legislation under consideration would establish a statutory framework to support that transition.
Broader Context
The committee hearing will consider S.1759, which would allow civil supersonic aircraft to operate in U.S. airspace under certain conditions, addressing the regulatory gap that has stalled the industry for decades. The bill is being considered as the FAA works to modernize its certification process more broadly.
The committee will also consider the FAA's type certification modernization through Senate Commerce Committee markup of S.3885, which would update the agency's certification process to support development of new and novel aviation technologies. This reflects broader pressure to accelerate commercial aircraft approvals. In late June, the FAA published a proposed rule on transport airplane and propulsion certification modernization, and a Government Accountability Office report released in March found the agency had not yet issued a type certificate for a manned electric aircraft.
A third aviation bill, S.3258, would require the FAA Administrator to publicly publish the list of medications compiled for medical certification of airmen and air traffic control specialists, addressing transparency in pilot health standards.
The Agenda
The committee will also consider S. 4429, which would prohibit the importation, manufacture, sale, resale, or introduction into interstate commerce of connected vehicles and related software or hardware associated with foreign adversaries.
The legislation builds on the Commerce Department's January 2025 rule prohibiting certain connected vehicle transactions involving supply chain links to China and Russia. According to Mayer Brown, the rule was driven by national security concerns about vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign actors.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) as the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026.
The committee will also consider S.4448, which would require the assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information to develop tools to track Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program grant recipients' progress. The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion broadband initiative funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with the goal of connecting every American to high-speed internet. All 56 states and territories have submitted Final Proposals, and 54 have received approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Additionally, lawmakers will consider S.4691, the Disaster Communications Coordination and Preparedness Act. This bill was introduced by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and aims to improve awareness and coordination of federal communications resources during disasters and emergencies.
The committee will also consider S.4802, which would authorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to acquire aircraft for air, atmosphere, and weather reconnaissance and research missions.
Committee Action
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), will also consider four nominations, including Thomas B. Chapman of Maryland to the National Transportation Safety Board, Edward Eppler of Connecticut to serve as chief financial officer of the Department of Transportation, Karen Jean Hedlund of New York to the Surface Transportation Board, and Brien Lorenze of Virginia and Karen Sessions of Texas to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article