Peter Welch (D-VT)
Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act
A Democratic bill with 7 Republican cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act aims to update the FAA type certification process to better support new aviation technologies. It requires the FAA Administrator to publish a plan for improving the issue paper process and creating more stable policies. The bill mandates the establishment of standard expected timelines for various certification milestones and responses to applicants. It also directs the Administrator to update delegation guidance for aircraft and engine certification. Additionally, the act requires the FAA to consult with various stakeholders, including trade associations and safety inspectors. Finally, it establishes a sense of Congress regarding the importance of United States leadership in aviation innovation.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Aviation industry stakeholders benefit from more predictable and efficient certification timelines.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates the publication of a plan and standard timelines on the official FAA website to increase transparency.
- Scored +4
Is this likely to grow the economy?
Improving the efficiency of the FAA certification process fosters innovation and global competitiveness in the aviation industry.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill explicitly limits judicial review of the Administrator's adherence to established timelines.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Aviation Innovation: The bill aims to support the development of new and novel technologies, including advanced air mobility, by improving the certification process (Section 2(a)).
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Increased Transparency and Predictability: The Administrator is required to publish a plan to create stable policy regarding frequently addressed subjects and establish standard expected timelines for certification milestones (Section 2(a), Section 2(b)).
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Improved Efficiency: The bill seeks to improve efficiency by eliminating recurring issue papers through the conversion of stable means of compliance into published policy or advisory circulars (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Stakeholder Inclusion: The Administrator is required to consult with various groups, such as trade associations representing advanced air mobility stakeholders and certified bargaining representatives of aviation safety personnel (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exclusion of Complex Issues from Timelines: The establishment of standard expected timelines does not apply to complex issues that the Administrator determines present an unsafe condition (Section 2(c)).
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Limitations on Legal Recourse: The establishment of timelines by the Administrator does not create any new legal rights, and the Administrator's adherence or failure to adhere to these timelines is not subject to judicial review (Section 6).
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 business owners be better off under this? — Aviation industry stakeholders benefit from more predictable and efficient certification timelines. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill requires consultation with certified bargaining representatives of aviation safety personnel.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Improving the efficiency of the FAA certification process fosters innovation and global competitiveness in the aviation industry. Is this likely to create jobs? — By streamlining the certification of new aviation technologies, the bill supports the growth of the advanced air mobility sector.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates the publication of a plan and standard timelines on the official FAA website to increase transparency. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill centralizes and streamlines FAA regulatory processes, which increases federal oversight in aviation technology. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill explicitly limits judicial review of the Administrator's adherence to established timelines.
- 7/22/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana