Press Release

Welch’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Next Generation of American Aviation Advances Through House Committee

Sep 15, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today celebrated the advancement of his bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act through the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

This legislation, which advanced out of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee with bipartisan support in July, would improve the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) type certification process for American Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft companies to help them succeed and cement the United States’ role as a global leader in aviation. 

The bill now heads to the Senate and House floors for consideration.  

“I’m pleased to see the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has advanced my bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act. By working together, leaders on both sides of the aisle in the Senate and House can help advance the next era of global aviation leadership and create good-paying jobs in America,” said Senator Welch. “I urge both Chambers to pass this bill so we can send it to the President’s desk.” 

U.S. Representative Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee; Rep. André Carson (D-IN-07), Ranking Member of the House Aviation Subcommittee; Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK-AL); Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05); Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS-01); Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23); Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19); and Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI-08) lead the bill in the House of Representatives.  

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology is a novel collection of technologies that will allow new, innovative aircraft to integrate into our airspace system. Emerging U.S.-based AAM companies are also paving the way for new and innovative electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Supporting the United States’ continued leadership in AAM technology development will boost economic growth in American communities across the country.  

Since the introduction of the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have both released reports on the AAM certification process and actions that can be taken by Congress to promote aviation innovation.  

Senators Welch and Budd published a bipartisan opinion piece in Newsweek in September 2025 entitled: “Congress Should Help Air Innovation Take Flight.” In their op-ed, they urged Congress to build on America’s proud history of global aviation leadership and pass this bipartisan legislation to help AAM take flight. Senator Welch became the first sitting U.S. Senator to fly on an eVTOL aircraft in April at Beta Technologies’ manufacturing facility in South Burlington, Vermont.   

Specifically, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act:  

  • Establishes non-binding, standard expected timelines for the FAA’s type certification process for AAM aircraft for the Agency to respond to petitions for exemptions of aircraft type, and to develop means of compliance for aircraft outside of the existing types of AAM aircraft.   
  • Sets transparent and reliable non-binding, standard expected ranges of time for the issue paper process, so that type certification applicants know how long reviews will take, reducing uncertainty and delays.   
  • Provides the FAA Administration with the sole discretion to exclude safety-critical matters from established timelines to ensure airspace safety is paramount.   
  • Directs the FAA to define when an issue paper is required in the certification process, while providing flexibility for the Agency on complex, safety issues.   
  • Directs the FAA to account for performance-based rules in the certification process.  
  • Directs the FAA to brief the relevant congressional committees on the status of implementing the certification regulations and managing workload.   
  • Clarifies when the FAA can delegate routine compliance findings to qualified personnel, allowing Agency experts to focus on complex, safety-critical issues.   
  • Updates delegation guidance for type certification to cover new and novel technologies related to AAM, including eVTOL aircraft.   

The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act is endorsed by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA); American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); American Institutes of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); Archer Aviation; Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI); Beta Technologies; Boeing; Eve Air Mobility; General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); Joby Aviation; National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE); National Air Transportation Association (NATA); National Business Aviation Association (NBAA); Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS); Vertical Aviation International (VAI); and Wisk Aero.  

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