Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/3410
Last Updated: September 7, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

ID: N000026

Follow the money

The bill

Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act

HR. 3410, 119th Congress — read as touching Aerospace (Commercial).

The sponsor

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$96,050 raised

21 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Transportation" section, p. 661-663 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

March 24, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the geniuses in Congress. The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, because what this country really needs is more noise pollution and a chance for the 1% to travel faster while the rest of us are stuck in traffic.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of this bill is to allow civil supersonic flight in the national airspace system, because who needs peace and quiet when you can have sonic booms? The objectives are clear: make rich people happier, ignore the noise complaints of the common folk, and pretend that this will somehow stimulate economic growth.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the FAA to issue new regulations within a year, allowing supersonic flight without special authorization, as long as no sonic boom reaches the ground. Because, you know, that's exactly what we need - more bureaucratic red tape and loopholes for the wealthy to exploit. The bill also establishes noise standards, but don't worry, they'll be "periodically reviewed" - code for "we'll ignore them until someone sues us."

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The affected parties include the supersonic aircraft industry (i.e., the companies that will make a killing off this), the FAA (which will have to deal with the regulatory nightmare), and the general public (who will have to endure the noise pollution). Oh, and let's not forget the politicians who will take credit for "modernizing" aviation while lining their pockets with campaign donations.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The potential impact is clear: more noise, more pollution, and more opportunities for the wealthy to flaunt their status. The implications are equally obvious: this bill is a symptom of a deeper disease - the corrupting influence of money in politics and the complete disregard for the well-being of the average citizen. It's a classic case of " regulatory capture," where the interests of the powerful few outweigh those of the many.

In conclusion, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act is a joke, a thinly veiled attempt to appease the wealthy and powerful while ignoring the needs and concerns of the general public. It's a legislative disease, spread by the virus of corruption and greed, and we're all just along for the ride. So, buckle up, folks, and enjoy the sonic boom - it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$96,050
19 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$95,050

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
MARCHELI, DANNY
2 transactions
$10,000
2
BIBB, LAURA
2 transactions
$10,000
3
GONSOULIN, AL A
1 transaction
$6,600
4
FISHER, KENNETH
1 transaction
$6,600
5
FISHER, SHERRILYN
1 transaction
$6,600
6
EMPARTIO, JOESPH
1 transaction
$5,000
7
DOUDS, KENNETH
1 transaction
$5,000
8
GILL, EDWARD
1 transaction
$5,000
9
MARCHELI, DANIEL
1 transaction
$5,000
10
DOUDS, ROBERT F JR.
1 transaction
$5,000
11
BIBB, RAY
1 transaction
$5,000
12
KNIGHT, MAYRA
1 transaction
$5,000
13
DUJKA, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$3,750
14
COOLEY, WILLIAM O
1 transaction
$3,300
15
WILLIAMS, GEORGE E
1 transaction
$3,300
16
VANMETER, RYAN R
1 transaction
$3,300
17
ADDISON, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
18
GEORGE, BRET A
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

ID: D000629

Top Contributors

70

1
HO-CHUNK NATION
OrganizationBLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
2
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
OrganizationCASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
3
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
4
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
OrganizationTUCSON, AZ
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
5
PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL
OrganizationWELCH, MN
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
6
REDDING RANCHERIA
OrganizationREDDING, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationFORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 15, 2024
8
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
HO CHUNK NATION
OrganizationBLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023

Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

ID: R000603

Top Contributors

20

1
WRIGHT, DEREK
MERIDIEN MARKETING AND LOGISTICS, INC • EXPORT
IndividualWILMINGTON, NC
$3,435
Mar 27, 2024
2
CREASY, DONALD J
CARUTHERS PROPERTIES • REAL ESTATE
IndividualCLAYTON, NC
$3,435
Jun 11, 2024
3
ESTEP, HANK
GRIFFIN ESTEP • INSURANCE
IndividualWILMINGTON, NC
$3,435
May 16, 2024
4
POWERS, DAVID M.
SELF EMPLOYED • PUBLIC AFFAIRS
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,435
Sep 6, 2024
5
BERGMAN, LEAH MARIE
SOUTHERN REPAIR SERVICE INC • REAL ESTATE
IndividualCHAPEL HILL, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
6
CONNORS, CATHERINE F
SOLSTICE PARTNERS LLC • REAL ESTATE
IndividualCARY, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
7
DEGIACINTO, CLAY
AXONIC CAPITAL • MANAGING PARTNER
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
8
ELLIS, GARY
SELF-EMPLOYED • INVESTOR
IndividualMATTHEWS, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
9
MILLS, FRED G JR.
MILLS CONSTRUCTION • GENERAL CONTRACTOR
IndividualWAKE FOREST, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
10
ROCKEFELLER, LISENNE
WINROCK GROUP INC • PRESIDENT
IndividualLITTLE ROCK, AR
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024

Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

ID: M001236

Top Contributors

20

1
HUCKABEE, BOBBY
SOUTHLAND • ENTREPRENEUR
IndividualWRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC
$6,600
Apr 26, 2024
2
HUCKABEE, BOBBY
IndividualWRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC
$6,600
Jun 26, 2024
3
WORDSWORTH, ELAINE
CPFRM • EXECUTIVE
IndividualNASHVILLE, NC
$6,400
Dec 31, 2023
4
WORDSWORTH, ELAINE
IndividualNASHVILLE, NC
$6,400
Dec 31, 2023
5
KELLER, OSCAR A III
SELF EMPLOYED • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualSANFORD, NC
$5,000
Apr 23, 2024
6
KELLER, OSCAR A III
IndividualSANFORD, NC
$5,000
Jun 23, 2024
7
PARRISH, RODDRICK DOYLE
SUMMIT HOSPITALITY • PRESIDENT
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$4,400
Sep 30, 2024
8
PARRISH, RODDRICK DOYLE
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$4,400
Sep 30, 2024
9
BELL, III, JAMES
BELLLEGAL GROUP • ATTORNEY
IndividualGEORGETOWN, SC
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
10
BEAM, DREW
BROAD RIVER HOLDINGS • REAL ESTATE
IndividualSHELBY, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024

Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

ID: H001100

Top Contributors

26

1
OTERO COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN
OrganizationLA JUNTA, CO
$2,000
Nov 22, 2024
2
GARY DOEHLING PC
OrganizationGRAND JUNCTION, CO
$2,000
Jan 22, 2024
3
MESA COUNTY REPUBLICAN MEN'S CLUB
OrganizationGRAND JUNCTION, CO
$500
Nov 22, 2024
4
DEARMAN CONSULTING LLC
OrganizationMEEKER, CO
$500
Feb 12, 2024
5
L BAR SLASH RANCH
OrganizationMEEKER, CO
$500
Feb 12, 2024
6
MONTEZUMA COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE
OrganizationCORTEZ, CO
$200
Oct 30, 2024
7
BENSON, BRUCE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualDENVER, CO
$5,000
Nov 1, 2024
8
ABBOTT, DEBRA
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMONTROSE, CO
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
9
ABBOTT, SARAH
IRELAND STAPLETON PRYOR AND PASCOE PC • LAWYER
IndividualMONTROSE, CO
$3,300
Sep 3, 2024
10
ABBOTT, THOMAS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMONTROSE, CO
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3]

ID: O000177

Top Contributors

20

1
O'BRIEN, FRANK
O'BRIEN INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS • OWNER
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$13,200
Mar 31, 2024
2
ONDER, JAMES G
ONDERLAW, LLC • ATTORNEY
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$13,200
Mar 26, 2024
3
BURNS, ROBERT
PATRIOT MACHINE • VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualCHESTERFIELD, MO
$13,200
Sep 5, 2024
4
POGUE, RICHARD W.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualWRIGHT CITY, MO
$13,200
Jun 20, 2024
5
SCHULTE, STEVE
HENGES INTERIORS • OWNER
IndividualWELDON SPRING, MO
$13,200
May 8, 2024
6
MUELLER, DOUGLAS
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualO FALLON, MO
$10,000
Mar 6, 2024
7
OBRIEN, JOHN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualLAKE ST LOUIS, MO
$10,000
Mar 11, 2024
8
SMITH, MENLO
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCHESTERFIELD, MO
$7,500
Mar 21, 2024
9
STOFFA, ROBERT
WINDBER HOSPITAL • PHYSICIAN
IndividualLIGONIER, PA
$6,870
Mar 28, 2024
10
KOVAC, AMY
BAIN CO • BUSINESS CONSULTANT
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$6,818
Mar 30, 2024

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

ID: V000129

Top Contributors

47

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
2
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
3
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
4
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Feb 28, 2024
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 28, 2024
7
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
May 25, 2023
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 29, 2024
9
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
OrganizationOROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Sep 26, 2024
10
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Aug 16, 2024

Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

ID: E000300

Top Contributors

20

1
WRIGHT, ELIZABETH
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$6,600
Jun 29, 2024
2
WOODWARD, JOHN
SPIERER WOODWARD • ATTORNEY
IndividualGREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO
$6,600
Sep 19, 2023
3
BERGSTROM, ROBERT
BT CONSTRUCTION • CONSTRUCTION
IndividualFORT LUPTON, CO
$6,600
Oct 13, 2024
4
ERICKSON, GARY
EXECUTIVE CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION • GENERAL CONTRACTOR
IndividualCOLORADO SPRINGS, CO
$6,600
Oct 15, 2024
5
HASELDEN, BYRON
HASELDEN CONSTRUCTION • CEO
IndividualCENTENNIAL, CO
$6,600
Oct 14, 2024
6
HASELDEN, EDDIE
HASELDEN CONSTRUCTION • CHAIRMAN
IndividualCENTENNIAL, CO
$6,600
Oct 14, 2024
7
HASELDEN, MIKE
HASELDEN CONSTRUCTION • CO-CHAIRMAN
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$6,600
Oct 14, 2024
8
WAGNER, BRUCE
WAGNER EQUIPMENT • PRES
IndividualLITTLETON, CO
$5,000
Sep 20, 2024
9
DUKE, D. A.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$5,000
Oct 9, 2024
10
MCDONALD, BRUCE
MCDONALD INSURANCE GROUP • OWNER
IndividualLITTLETON, CO
$3,868
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

ID: S001229

Top Contributors

20

1
SASSO, APRIL
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualCARMEL, IN
$6,600
Oct 30, 2024
2
PONDER, JACQUELINE
BOWMAN FAMILY HOLDINGS • LAWYER
IndividualGREENWOOD, IN
$3,437
Oct 29, 2024
3
KING, CHRISTOPHER M.
RUNNEBOHM CONSTRUCTION, INC. • OWNER
IndividualSHELBYVILLE, IN
$3,300
Jun 7, 2024
4
CALDWELL, JORDAN
CALDWELL'S INC. • EXECUTIVE
IndividualSHELBYVILLE, IN
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
5
DOPPELT, BRIAN
BAINBRIDGE COMPANIES • EXECUTIVE
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
6
KING, KYLIE A.
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
IndividualSHELBYVILLE, IN
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
7
SASSO, RICK C.
INDIANA SPINE GROUP • PHYSICIAN
IndividualCARMEL, IN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
8
SCHUMACHER, AMY MAE
THE HERITAGE GROUP • CEO
IndividualCARMEL, IN
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
9
MCALLISTER, CHRIS
TARBERT PROPERTIES LP • PARTNER
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
10
ZINK, JAMES C.
ZINK DISTRIBUTING • CHAIRMAN / CEO
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024

Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

ID: H001067

Top Contributors

23

1
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationROCK HILL, SC
$1,500
Mar 5, 2024
4
HENDRICK, JOSEPH RIDDICK III
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS • CHAIRMAN
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$50,000
Dec 12, 2023
5
GROSS, MARK J.
OAK GROVE TECHNOLOGIES • CEO
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$50,000
Feb 27, 2023
6
WARLICK, ANDERSON D. MR.
PARKDALE MILLS • CEO
IndividualGASTONIA, NC
$50,000
Mar 16, 2023
7
BARNHILL, ROBERT E. MR. JR.
BARNHILL CONTRACTING COMPANY • PRESIDENT
IndividualROCKY MOUNT, NC
$50,000
May 14, 2024
8
HUNTER, FRED NEAL
KNOW BIO LLC • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualDURHAM, NC
$35,000
Mar 31, 2023
9
SULLIVAN, SCOTT C.
CAMERON MANAGEMENT • CO-FOUNDER
IndividualBANNER ELK, NC
$25,000
Dec 29, 2023
10
ALLISON, DENNIS KEITH MR.
SYSTEL • PRESIDENT/CEO
IndividualFAYETTEVILLE, NC
$25,000
Mar 3, 2023

Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

ID: H001101

Top Contributors

20

1
STARNES, BRYAN
ALG SENIOR LLC • CFO
IndividualGRANITE FALLS, NC
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
2
ATALA, KATHERINE DAWSON
WAKE FOREST UNIV SCHOOL OF MED • PHYSICIAN
IndividualWINSTON SALEM, NC
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
3
SMITH, HARRY
RISE CAPITAL • FOUNDER
IndividualATLANTIC BEACH, NC
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
4
CHEROKEE INDIANS, EASTERN BAND OF
INDIAN TRIBE • INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
5
TREFZGER, CHARLIE
ALG SENIOR • CEO
IndividualGRANITE FALLS, NC, NC
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
6
SMITH, HARRY
RISE CAPITAL • FOUNDER
IndividualATLANTIC BEACH, NC
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
7
KELLIGREW, JIM
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Nov 19, 2024
8
DUNN, MELANIE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMORGANTON, NC
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
9
WILSON, PETE
WILSON WALSH CONSULTING • ATTORNEY CONSULTANT
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
10
SCHILBERG, BERNARD
IMC • CEO
IndividualSOUTH WINDSOR, CT
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 37 nodes and 37 connections

Total contributions: $37

Top Donors - Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Showing top 19 donors by contribution amount

1 Committee18 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped.

  • Section 2(a) allows civil supersonic flight in national airspace without special authorization, directly benefiting commercial aerospace manufacturers developing supersonic aircraft (e.g., Boom Supersonic, Aerion). Section 2(b) sets noise standards but does not prohibit operation, providing a regulatory pathway.

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Department of Transportation

Strong
Vector: 61%
Pages: 661-663AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns with Project 2025's aviation objectives by promoting innovation, reducing regulatory barriers, and supporting emerging aviation technologies like supersonic flight, which parallels the policy's focus on advancing air travel affordability, safety, and competition through technological deployment."

Key themes:aviation innovationregulatory modernizationemerging technologiescompetition and affordabilitysafety and efficiency

— 629 — Department of Transportation l Revoke the special waiver granted to California by the Biden Administration. California has no valid basis under the Clean Air Act to claim an extraordinary or unique air quality impact from carbon dioxide emissions, and EPCA is clear that under no circumstances may a state agency regulate fuel economy in place of DOT. The federal government should therefore exercise its preemptive authority over CARB and take all steps necessary to invalidate any inconsistent fuel economy requirements imposed by CARB, including its ban on sales of internal combustion engines. FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has jurisdiction over the inter- state highway system, which is vital for the transportation of goods and people throughout the country. The FHWA, in conjunction with state DOTs, works to ensure the quality and safety of highways and bridges. However, over the course of decades, presidential Administrations and Con- gress have caused the FHWA to go beyond its original mission. The variety of infrastructure projects now eligible for funding through the FHWA include fer- ryboat terminals, hiking trails, bicycle lanes, and local sidewalks. In many cases, such projects should be the sole responsibility of local or state governments, not dependent on FHWA funding. For local projects, federal involvement adds red tape and bureaucratic delays rather than value. The Biden Administration has broadened the FHWA’s scope by emphasizing the priorities of progressive activists instead of pursuing practical goals. These policies include a focus on “equity,” a nebulous concept that in practice means awarding grants to favored identity groups, as well as imposing obligations on states concern- ing carbon dioxide emissions from highway traffic—areas not encompassed within FHWA’s statutory authorities. Furthermore, the Biden Administration’s embrace of the “Vision Zero” approach to safety often means actively seeking congestion for automobiles to reduce speeds. Finally, the Administration has sought to use a “guidance memo” to impose policies not enacted by Congress, most notably to make it harder for growing states to expand highway capacity. Instead, the next Administration should: l Seek to refocus the FHWA on maintaining and improving the highway system. l Remove or reform rules and regulations that hamper state governments. l Reduce the amount of federal involvement in local infrastructure decisions. — 630 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise AVIATION Americans value the ability to travel safely and inexpensively by air. In the United States, the private sector has developed the world’s safest, most effective passenger and cargo air transport networks. Current policies threaten to undo that legacy and to strangle the development of new technologies such as drones and “advanced air mobility,” including small aircraft to serve as air taxis or to conduct quiet vertical flights. Starting in the 1970s, deregulation and increased competition turned air travel from a luxury to an affordable travel option enjoyed by most Americans. The United States has four major airlines, each with roughly 20 percent of the domestic market. They compete with each other over the vast majority of routes. Several smaller carriers provide additional competition and other options for travelers. The current Administration’s policies are self-contradictory. In order to pla- cate specific labor groups, the Biden Administration not only opposes the growth of the major airlines, which would reduce the price of air travel, but also opposes measures—such as low-fare foreign competition and joint ventures of smaller U.S. carriers—that would increase competition. Another problematic area is aviation consumer protection. Congress has autho- rized DOT to prohibit specific “unfair and deceptive practices” in the airline industry after undertaking a hearing process—authority exercised by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection within the General Counsel’s Office. Beginning with the Obama Administration, this authority has been used to justify broad new regulations—in the name of achieving “fair” competition—that would impose burdensome disclosure mandates and other costly requirements without a sufficient process for gathering supporting evidence. The Trump Administration reformed the process for issuing such “unfair and deceptive practices” rules,9 but the Biden Administration promptly reversed those reforms.10 A new Administration should restore them. In general, the next Administration should focus its efforts on making air travel more affordable and abundant, increasing safety, increasing competition to benefit the flying public, and removing obstacles to the rapid deployment of emerging aviation technologies that hold the promise of improved safety, compe- tition, opportunity, and growth. To achieve a more level playing field and increase options for the traveling public, the next Administration should: l Publicly indicate that a new Administration would support joint- venture efforts by smaller carriers (for example, Jet Blue and Spirit) to achieve scale necessary to reduce costs and compete more effectively with the larger carriers. l Review foreign ownership and control limitations and, if necessary, work with Congress to change existing statutes. Worldwide investors

Department of Transportation

Weak
Vector: 64%
Pages: 664-666AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"Both the bill and the Project 2025 section concern FAA oversight and aviation modernization, but the bill focuses on enabling supersonic flight and noise standards, whereas Project 2025 emphasizes internal FAA restructuring, funding reform, and adoption of technologies like digital towers and drone integration, resulting only tangential overlap."

Key themes:FAAaviation innovationregulatory modernization

— 632 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise not offer additional negotiations until the Chinese implement the agreements they have already signed. The current Administration’s policies in several areas that affect aviation and limit America’s future opportunities for growth are internally inconsistent. In addition to a New Entry Initiative, the new Administration should establish an interagency clearinghouse to drive consistent policies across the government on spectrum, drones, and advanced air mobility. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION With a budget of $18.6 billion requested for FY 202311 and an international regulatory footprint, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is DOT’s most visible mode. It needs reform. Air traffic control (ATC) operations account for two-thirds of FAA’s budget, and the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) is far behind its counterparts in Australia, Canada, and Western Europe in implementing 21st century technology. The FAA’s primary mission is ATC; its two smaller functions are distributing federal airport grants and regulating all aspects of aviation safety. The FAA was once considered the world’s best government aviation agency. Those days are long past. In the more than five decades since 1958 when the Federal Aviation Agency (precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration) was formed, there have been notable developments in air traffic control technology, aircraft avionics, and engine reliability, but despite many well-intentioned attempts, there have been few changes in the FAA’s funding structure. The FAA is still improperly organized and financed, and the management reforms provided in the late 1990s remain largely unused. The FAA is 10 years older than DOT. It provides two separate and functionally different services: the world’s largest and most complex Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and, at the same time, the world’s largest civil aviation regulatory and certificatory agency. The first is a 24/7/365 air traffic service provider. The second is an inherently governmental organization responsible for ensuring that aerospace operators, vehicles, airports, and ANSPs are properly certified and follow all FAA regulations. These two different organizations ought to run separately. The FAA is the only modern Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the world that does not assess fees for its services. Its funding structure, subject to the annual appropriations process, stifles efficiency and innovation—and the FAA does not innovate well. It spends too much time and money on research and development (R&D) and is not very good at either one. It should get out of the R&D business and focus on testing, evaluating, and certifying private-sector innovation much more quickly than it does today. The FAA workforce needs to modernize. The agency needs safety and certifi- cation experts, not professional airframe and powerplant mechanics (A&Ps). It — 633 — Department of Transportation needs to hire people trained to oversee mechanics, engineers, and pilots. It is time to consider promoting the FAA’s top executive team from within and requiring strict professional requirements for its top appointees. Organizations such as the FAA whose sole responsibility is public safety should be fully auditable and led by experts in their field or industry with oversight from DOT leadership. For 60 years, the FAA was the global leader in aerospace, from general aviation to commercial space, but the U.S. lead has vanished. The FAA’s overly bureaucratic, legalistic, byzantine, and more recently hyperpoliticized way of processing regu- lations, adopting innovation, publishing rules, and procuring new technologies has been eclipsed by foreign CAAs and ANSPs that are eagerly certifying drones and creating environments in which new technologies and new entrants, such as air taxis, can thrive. To regain America’s global leadership in aviation, the next Administration should: l Separate the FAA from DOT or, at a minimum, separate the ATO from the FAA. l Completely restructure the FAA’s funding system so that the nation’s aviation system is not held prisoner to annual appropriations or used as a political football to solve nonaviation problems. l Require the FAA to operate more like a business. The FAA has not made good use of the unique authority it has been given in areas like personnel and acquisition. In Europe, conventional control towers are being replaced by digital/remote towers with high-resolution cameras and other sensors on tall structures and at points adjoining runways. In Germany and Scandinavia, as many as 15 small air- ports can be controlled from one remote tower center. The FAA has yet to certify a single digital/remote tower. Text messaging between controllers and pilots is widespread over the oceans. The ATO began to implement what is now called DataComm in 2002 but sus- pended the project in 2003. This was restarted at airport control towers in 2016, but as of October 2022, it was available in only seven of the 20 high-altitude control centers. Current technology enables flights to be managed “anywhere from anywhere,” but the ATO resists consolidating its 20 aging centers into a much smaller number—and lacks the funds to consolidate them. The FAA as regulator and the ATO as traffic manager have no plans in place to handle millions of drones and other emerging technologies such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Environmental Protection Agency

Weak
Vector: 61%
Pages: 458-460AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on enabling supersonic aviation with noise and emissions standards, while Project 2025's EPA section emphasizes reducing regulatory burdens, limiting EPA authority, and rolling back climate-related rules—particularly targeting greenhouse gas reporting and endangerment findings. There is minimal thematic overlap, as the bill advances aviation innovation under environmental safeguards, whereas Project 2025 seeks to deregulate and constrain EPA's climate and air quality authority."

Key themes:aircraft emissionsnoise standardsregulatory reform

— 425 — Environmental Protection Agency are statutorily required, and remove any regulatory differences between attainment and maintenance that are not explicitly required by law. l Streamline the process for state and local governments to demonstrate that their federally funded highway projects will not interfere with NAAQS attainment. l Adopt policies to prevent abuse of EPA’s CAA “error correction” authority.20 EPA historically has used this to coerce states into adopting its favored policies on pain of imposition of a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). l Limit EPA’s reliance on CAA § 30121 general rulemaking authority to ensure that it is not abused to issue regulations for which EPA lacks substantive authority elsewhere in the statute. l If possible, return the standard-setting role to Congress. Climate Change l Remove the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) for any source category that is not currently being regulated. The overall reporting program imposes significant burdens on small businesses and companies that are not being regulated. This is either a pointless burden or a sword-of- Damocles threat of future regulation, neither of which is appropriate. l Establish a system, with an appropriate deadline, to update the 2009 endangerment finding. l Establish a significant emissions rate (SER) for greenhouse gasses (GHGs). Regulating Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act22 l Repeal Biden Administration implementing regulations for the AIM Act that are unnecessarily stringent and costly. l Refrain from granting petitions from opportunistic manufacturers to add new restrictions that further skew the market toward costlier refrigerants and equipment. — 426 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Conduct realistic cost assessments that reflect actual consumer experiences instead of the current unrealistic ones claiming that the program is virtually cost-free. Mobile Source Regulation by the Office of Transportation and Air Quality l Establish GHG car standards under Department of Transportation (DOT) leadership that properly consider cost, choice, safety, and national security. l Review the existing “ramp rate” for car standards to ensure that it is actually achievable. l Include life cycle emissions of electric vehicles and consider all of their environmental impacts. l Restore the position that California’s waiver applies only to California- specific issues like ground-level ozone, not global climate issues. l Ensure that other states can adopt California’s standards only for traditional/criteria pollutants, not greenhouse gases. l Stop the use of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to increase standards on airplanes. l Reconsider the Cleaner Trucks Initiative to balance the goal of driving down emissions without creating significant costs or complex burdens on the industry. Air Permitting Reforms for New Source Review (Pre-Construction Per- mits) and Title V (Operating Permits) l Develop reforms to ensure that when a facility improves efficiency within its production process, new permitting requirements are not triggered. l Restore the Trump EPA position on Once-In, Always-In (that major sources can convert to area sources when affiliated emissions standards are met). l Revisit permitting and enforcement assumptions that sources will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; this artificially inflates a source’s potential to emit (PTE), which can result in more stringent permit terms.

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About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

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