Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Air Carrier Access Amendments Act
A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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 Air Carrier Access Amendments Act aims to update the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to better protect passengers with disabilities. It establishes civil penalties for specific violations, such as damaging wheelchairs or causing physical harm to passengers. The bill also allows aggrieved individuals to sue air carriers in federal court for compensatory and punitive damages. Additionally, it empowers the Attorney General to bring civil actions on behalf of affected individuals.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The primary beneficiary group through improved access and legal protections.
- Scored +10
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
Specifically designed to eliminate discrimination and increase accessibility for air passengers with disabilities.
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Explicitly mentions veterans with disabilities who face barriers in air travel.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Air carriers may face increased costs due to new civil penalties and lawsuits.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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New Civil Penalties: The bill requires civil penalties for specific failures, including the loss or significant damage of scooters and wheelchairs, physical harm or fatal injury to passengers, failure to provide proper aisle chair assistance during boarding or deplaning, and the denial of boarding or service animal access. (Section 3, subsection (c)(1)(C))
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Private Right of Action: Individuals harmed by a carrier's violation can now file a civil action in U.S. district court for compensatory and punitive damages within two years of the violation. (Section 3, subsection (d)(1)(A))
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Reduced Legal Barriers: People seeking relief are not required to exhaust administrative remedies before filing a civil action. (Section 3, subsection (d)(1)(C))
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Legal Fee Support: The prevailing party in a civil action can be awarded reasonable attorney's fees, expert fees, and court costs. (Section 3, subsection (d)(1)(B))
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Government Enforcement: The Attorney General can sue air carriers on behalf of aggrieved individuals to seek equitable relief, damages, and civil penalties. (Section 3, subsection (d)(2))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals were explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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? — The primary beneficiary group through improved access and legal protections. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Explicitly mentions veterans with disabilities who face barriers in air travel. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees who use wheelchairs or scooters benefit from enhanced protections. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors are more likely to utilize assistive devices and require accessibility services. Would business owners be better off under this? — Air carriers may face increased costs due to new civil penalties and lawsuits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Specifically designed to eliminate discrimination and increase accessibility for air passengers with disabilities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Provides a clear private right of action for aggrieved individuals to seek judicial relief. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases the Attorney General's authority to bring civil actions against air carriers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Increases protections and legal remedies for passengers with disabilities against air carriers.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — Improves accessibility within the air transportation sector of public infrastructure.
- 6/18/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont