Subcommittee Chair Supports Lowering Barriers, Destigmatizing Issues

Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, has thrown his full support behind the bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act (MHAA) by joining as a co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation.

The bill intends to destigmatize mental health issues in aviation, train aviation medical examiners, and make it overall easier for aviation professionals to seek and receive mental health treatment without fearing the loss of their careers.

The subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation must first pass the bill before sending it to the full Senate Commerce Committee.

Sen. Moran (pictured) said, “Pilots and air traffic controllers bear a major responsibility in ensuring the safety of the flying public, a task that can be extremely stressful. No one should have to deal with mental health challenges alone or worry that seeking help could harm their career. This legislation would help break down barriers, allowing pilots and air traffic controllers to access the resources and support they need, when they need it, and improve the safety of the aviation system.”

The MHAA has garnered strong bipartisan cosponsor support from Senators Moran, John Hoeven (R-ND), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Dick Dubin (D-Ill), Deb Fisher (R-NE), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Curtis (R-UT), and Jack Reed (D-RI).

Sen. Hoeven said, “It’s imperative that our pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation professionals have access to the resources they need to maintain their mental health. The Mental Health in Aviation Act seeks to address mental health issues throughout the aviation industry, promote early intervention, provide additional resources to the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine, and support the well-being of aviation professionals and the overall safety of our skies.”

Sen. Duckworth said, “Pilots and air traffic controllers often operate under immense amounts of stress—pursuing mental health care shouldn’t be a career-ending decision. The fear and hesitancy around reporting mental health conditions and accessing care is hurting our pilots and isn’t making our skies any safer—reforms are critically needed. I’m proud to introduce the Mental Health in Aviation Act with Senator Hoeven, commonsense legislation to help improve aviation safety and reduce bureaucratic delays and overregulation that can create a dangerous culture of silence and stigma around mental health.”

The Senate is now considering its version of the bill which follows the House version (HR 2591) which was passed by a voice vote on September 8, 2025.

FMI:  www.commerce.senate.gov/