Major Hurdle Cleared In Bipartisan House T&I Committee Vote

The Seattle, Washington,-based nonprofit Pilot Mental Health Campaign applauded the approval of the Mental Health in Aviation Act in a bipartisan vote in the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, advancing the bill to the House floor for consideration, where passage requires a simple majority vote.

The bill had four original sponsors which included Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Tracey Mann (R-KS), and Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA). The Chair of the Committee is Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO).

PMHC said the legislation garnered 18 additional cosponsors by the time it was introduced in Committee, and gratefully thanks all the elected officials for their leadership and support.

Some comments from the committee hearing include:

“This bill is going to build on the bipartisan work from this committee from last Congress in holding the FAA accountable to Congress in the aeromedical innovation modernization working group they recreated in the Reauthorization of 2024.” – Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO)

“The FAA’s mental health protocols must evolve to foster an environment where the aviation workforce feels supported to seek resources and care, and the MHAA would do just that.” – Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA)

“We want our pilots at the top of their game and taking care of their mental health is a critical component to achieve that goal. Our pilots cannot fear that their livelihoods are at stake when taking care of themselves, nor can our air traffic controllers…If we don’t change how we handle mental health in aviation we will exacerbate a culture of silence.” – Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN)

“I applaud their advocacy to ensure that everyone who needs support for mental health is able to receive it and they are able to return to work when they are ready.” – Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ)

“This amendment says ‘enough.’ It says ‘we trust you, your health matters.’ It ensures that no employee has to choose between their wellbeing and their job…Safety doesn’t just come from machines and regulations, it comes from people.” – Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA)

FMI:  www.pmhc.org/