John Hoeven (R-ND)· Sep 24, 2026
S.Amdt. 6834: In the nature of a substitute.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
John Hoeven (R-ND)
John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act
S. 3257 · Senate bill Transportation and Public Works
A Republican bill with 19 Democratic cosponsors · See all 33 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
S. 3257, known as the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act, directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to update regulations and guidance regarding individuals in aviation who disclose mental health conditions. The bill requires the Administrator to solicit feedback from specific aviation stakeholders and review recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board. It mandates reviews of the mental health special issuance process for pilots and air traffic controllers and authorizes funding to improve the capacity of the Office of Aerospace Medicine. Additionally, the legislation orders the implementation of recommendations from the Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee. Finally, it requires a public information campaign to destigmatize mental health care in the aviation industry.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
Encourages aviation personnel to seek mental health help and streamlines the medical certification process for those receiving treatment.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Directly benefits those with mental health diagnoses by improving certification processes.
- Scored +5
Would people in middle age be better off under this?
Supports current aviation professionals in maintaining their careers while managing mental health.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes new spending of up to $16.5 million annually for medical examiners and public campaigns.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3 directs the Administrator to update regulations to encourage individuals to seek help for mental health conditions and disclose those conditions, which could benefit aviation workers by making it easier to address personal health without facing unnecessary barriers.
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Section 4 mandates periodic reviews of the special issuance process to consider the reclassification of additional medications and evidence-based treatments safely prescribed for mental health conditions, potentially helping pilots and air traffic controllers maintain certification while receiving medical care.
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Section 5 authorizes not more than $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to clear the backlog of special issuance requests and cases awaiting review at the Office of Aerospace Medicine, which could speed up decisions for workers waiting on medical certifications.
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Section 7 establishes a public information campaign for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to destigmatize seeking mental health care, broaden awareness of supportive services, and improve trust between the FAA and aviation workers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Directly benefits those with mental health diagnoses by improving certification processes. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Supports current aviation professionals in maintaining their careers while managing mental health. Would union members be better off under this? — Mandates consultation with bargaining representatives for air traffic controllers and pilots. Would students be better off under this? — Positively impacts students in accredited aviation programs who may need mental health support. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Helps aspiring pilots and air traffic controllers enter the field without fear of lifelong certification barriers due to mental health care.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Encourages aviation personnel to seek mental health help and streamlines the medical certification process for those receiving treatment. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Increases the number of trained aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists, to serve the aviation community.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires justifications for not implementing recommendations and reports on campaign efficacy to Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — Directs the FAA Administrator to update national regulations and guidance.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Reduces barriers for individuals with mental health conditions to maintain professional aviation certification.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Funding for recruiting and training additional aviation medical examiners and psychiatrists creates specialized medical jobs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes new spending of up to $16.5 million annually for medical examiners and public campaigns.
- 10/1/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 9/28/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 9/24/2026
- The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5017-5019)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5018-5019)
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5018-5019)
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 9/14/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-139.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 558.
- 6/15/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/14/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/17/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/6/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/4/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/1/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 11/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 11 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia