Pentagon changes tune on ROTOR Act as House takes up legislation

The Pentagon shared concerns Monday about the Senate-passed Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act as the House is expected to take it up this week, despite having supported the bill in the upper chamber.

The Senate unanimously passed the ROTOR Act late last year, which is expected to require the military to use the Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast on routine training flights but not on sensitive military missions.

The legislation is expected to address certain airspace and helicopter safety issues that were raised during an investigation into the deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C., last year, according to The Hill.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the current legislation does not include certain provisions the War Department shared with the Senate, but that the department still supports “the intent and objectives of the legislation.”

“As currently drafted, enactment would create significant unresolved budgetary burdens and operational security risks affecting national defense activities,” Parnell said. “The Department remains ready to continue productive dialogue with Congress to ensure the legislation achieves its safety goals while protecting essential operational capabilities."

The legislation is expected to be debated in the House on Monday night and voted on as early as Tuesday.