WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) this morning published an opinion piece in Newsweek entitled: “Congress Should Help Air Innovation Take Flight.” In their op-ed, the Senators urge Congress to build on America’s proud history of global aviation leadership and pass their new bipartisan legislation to help a new technology known as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) take flight.  

The Senators’ Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, also cosponsored by Senator John Curtis (R-Utah), would streamline certification review standards at the Federal Aviation Administration by establishing timelines for the agency to consider the merits of AAM applications ahead of commercialization. The Senators will formally introduce the bill next week. 

Read the Senators’ op-ed and view an excerpt below:   

Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.): Congress Should Help Air Innovation Take Flight 

 
By U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) 

Published September 24, 2025, by Newsweek 

“In 1903, the Wright Brothers launched a new era of American innovation with their first successful powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. More than 120 years later, it’s time for Congress to build on this proud American legacy by spearheading the newest revolution in flight: Advanced Air Mobility, or AAM. 

“Advanced Air Mobility isn’t a single technology—it’s a collection of technologies that will allow innovative aircraft, including electric, to integrate into our airspace system. Put simply, it’s a new way to think about air transportation, from private and recreational aircraft to public services to large cargo delivery. 

“Congress needs to pass our bipartisan bill to help AAM take flight.” 

Read the Senators’ full opinion piece in Newsweek. 

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