Why It Matters

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced 10 bills in a markup session on September 15, all approved by voice vote. The package addresses drone safety, rural airport funding, in-flight communications restrictions, aviation medication transparency and maritime cybersecurity, among other issues.

In June 2025, President Donald Trump (R-FL) directed the FAA to repeal the longstanding prohibition on most civil supersonic flight over the United States and establish a noise-based standard. The FAA subsequently proposed replacing the speed-based prohibition with a performance standard that would allow qualifying supersonic operations if sonic boom overpressure at the surface does not exceed 0.11 pounds per square foot. Separately, the administration established a Federal Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty and directed the FAA to move forward with a proposed rule establishing a process for restricting drone operations over certain fixed-site facilities, implementing a mandate Congress first enacted in 2016.

The Big Picture

The Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act, introduced Sept. 8 by Rep. James Gallagher (R-CA), requires manufacturers to provide operators with clear safety guidance upon initial device activation explaining applicable laws, airspace restrictions and potential consequences for unlawful operations. Operators would have to electronically acknowledge that they have read and understand the information before first use. The FAA would also be required to periodically update the safety-statement requirements.

During the World Cup, federal authorities seized more than 700 unauthorized drones at U.S. venues and fan zones. Federal officials later said none of the seized drones was weaponized. But past drone incidents have disrupted emergency response: During the Palisades fire in California, a recreational drone struck a firefighting aircraft and temporarily grounded the aircraft, while drone interference during the Dixie fire also disrupted aerial firefighting operations.

The Quiet Skies Act, sponsored by Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), with Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) among its cosponsors, requires the Department of Transportation to issue a final rule prohibiting passengers from making voice calls using cellphones or other electronic devices during scheduled passenger flights. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has supported a permanent prohibition on in-flight voice calls.

H.R. 8597, the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, introduced by Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK), would require the FAA to acquire and install approved situational-awareness tools at federal contract air traffic control towers and reimburse qualifying towers that have already purchased such equipment. The Regional Airline Association has said the legislation would provide controllers at contract towers with tools that could improve situational awareness and safety.

Broader Context

The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, sponsored by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), aims to make the FAA's type-certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft more predictable by establishing clearer timelines and procedures. The legislation has drawn support from aviation manufacturers and industry organizations seeking greater certainty in the certification process. An amendment offered by Nehls was approved by voice vote during the markup.

The Aviation Medication Transparency Act, introduced by Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), directs the FAA to publicly identify medications that aviation professionals can safely use as well as medications they should not use while performing aviation duties. It also requires information about how long aviation professionals may need to limit their duties while adjusting to certain medications.

The Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act, introduced by Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP), would reduce the local match for Airport Improvement Program projects from 10% to 5% for economically distressed communities that previously qualified for Essential Air Service but have since lost that service. An amendment in the nature of a substitute was approved by voice vote.

The Marine Transportation System Cybersecurity Budget and Evaluation Report Act, sponsored by Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC), directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess whether the Coast Guard has sufficient workforce, resources and tools to carry out its maritime cybersecurity mission. The GAO would also examine the Coast Guard's ability to enforce cybersecurity requirements, evaluate industry compliance and provide guidance to maritime stakeholders. FDD Action endorsed the legislation in February.

The Post-Disaster Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), extends the period for applicants to appeal Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster-assistance decisions from 60 to 90 days, matching the period the agency has to respond to an appeal. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Delegate King-Hinds are among the bill's cosponsors. Frost said, "When disaster strikes, people should not have to race against the clock to prove that they need help." Ezell said communities recovering from disasters should not face unnecessary administrative hurdles.

The Strengthening Oversight in Public Buildings Act, introduced by Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) on Sept. 8, strengthens oversight and modifies public-building reforms enacted in the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024. It requires the Office of Management and Budget and General Services Administration to provide space-utilization data to the GAO and Public Buildings Reform Board and requires agencies with independent leasing authority to report office-space lease data to the relevant congressional committees. The legislation comes as the Trump administration has pursued reductions in the federal government's real estate footprint.

The Pray Safe Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), would establish a Department of Homeland Security clearinghouse to provide nonprofit and faith-based organizations with centralized access to safety and security resources, best practices and recommendations.

The Bottom Line

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) chaired the markup. Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) said the committee continued its "streak of bipartisan lawmaking" on aviation safety, security resources for religious and nonprofit organizations and disaster recovery.

The committee also approved General Services Administration Capital Investment and Leasing Program resolutions en bloc, authorizing leases and building improvements involving federal facilities, including projects supporting veterans' health care and repairs and alterations to federal buildings.

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