WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today joined U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) in celebrating the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s advancement of their bipartisan bill, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act. The Senators’ legislation 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.  

An amended version of the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act advanced out of Senate Commerce with bipartisan support. Updates to the bill reflect further technical assistance from the FAA and the acceptance of a modified amendment by Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) to give airline pilots a seat at the table. 

“Building on generations of leadership in aviation, American companies are spearheading electric aircraft innovation. That includes companies like Vermont’s Beta Technologies, which completed its historic, first-ever electric flight last year in South Burlington. Ensuring the FAA certification process is safe, efficient, and more transparent for emerging AAM companies like Beta is critical to promoting aviation innovation,” said Senator Welch. “I’m thankful for the support of my colleagues on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, including my bipartisan co-lead Senator Budd, in helping this bill fly through to the Senate Floor to support American ingenuity, good-paying jobs in Vermont, and our global leadership in aviation.”  

“By ensuring that the FAA prioritizes the certification of novel aircraft like eVTOLs, we can quickly incorporate innovative technology into the National Airspace System. I am glad that our common-sense efforts to usher in the next generation of advanced air mobility aircraft will soon be considered by the full Senate,” said Senator Budd. 

Joining Senators Welch and Budd as cosponsors of this legislation are Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).   

“The Committee passage today brings us one step closer to modernizing the FAA certification process for the next generation of aviation,” said Senator Curtis. “This bipartisan bill will provide greater clarity and accountability, helping American Advanced Air Mobility companies innovate, compete, and lead the world in the future of flight. I’m pleased to see it advance and look forward to its passage by the full Senate.” 

“New Mexico is a strong leader in aviation technology, and this legislation will help ensure our state continues to shape the next generation of innovation,” said Senator Luján. “This bill will streamline and update the FAA certification processes, accelerate innovation, support new technologies, and strengthen U.S. global leadership in aviation. I’m proud to see this legislation advance and help keep the United States at the forefront of global aviation.” 

“Streamlining the FAA’s type certification processes for advanced aviation technologies, such as advanced air mobility, is critical to bolstering America’s global leadership in aviation innovation,” said Senator Moran.“I appreciate the bipartisan support from my colleagues for this legislation, and I’m pleased by this step forward with its passage out of committee today. This legislation would support emerging aerospace technologies and strengthen the aviation industry in Kansas and across the country, and I look forward to its approval by the full Senate.” 

“California companies are leading the world in developing the next generation of electric aircraft. I’m proud to see our bill advance to cut through red tape and streamline the FAA certification process, so we can maintain our competitive advantage and keep groundbreaking innovation here at home,” said Senator Padilla. 

“As the birthplace of aviation, America must maintain dominance in this critical industry by streamlining outdated bureaucracy and allowing innovators to remain competitive through a transparent, consistent regulatory framework. The bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act takes important steps to accomplish these ends, and I’m proud to see it advance out of the Commerce committee,” said Senator Sheehy. 

“Advanced Air Mobility platforms will revolutionize the American economy. The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act is a crucial step to securing American drone dominance. Our bill will provide much needed clarity and certainty as we seek to establish American leadership in these critical technologies and lay the groundwork for the future of air transportation. The Commerce Committee’s advancement of this bipartisan legislation marks an important step forward, and I look forward to seeing it pass the full Senate,” said Senator Young. 

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 Air Transportation Association (NATA); National Business Aviation Association (NBAA); Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS); Vertical Aviation International (VAI); and Wisk Aero. 

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 companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

Read and download the full text of the bill.  

###

View a digital version of this release.