Congressman Troy Nehls (R) praised the Senate Commerce Committee for advancing two aviation bills he leads in the House that would modernize supersonic flight regulations and streamline certification for next-generation Advanced Air Mobility aircraft.
Senate advances aviation legislation
Rep. Nehls welcomed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's approval of the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act and the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act.
Nehls leads both measures in the House of Representatives and said they would help position the United States as a global leader in aerospace innovation.
Rep. Troy Nehls: "I applaud the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's passage of two pieces of legislation which I'm proud to lead in the House of Representatives, that usher in the next generation of aerospace innovation, from supersonic flight to Advanced Air Mobility."
He said the legislation would reduce regulatory barriers that have allowed aviation innovation while strengthening America's competitiveness.
Modernizing supersonic flight
The Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FA) to issue or revise regulations within one year to permit civilian aircraft to fly at Mach 1 or faster, provided no sonic boom reaches the ground.
Current FAA regulations, adopted in 1973, prohibit non-military supersonic flight over the United States. According to Nehls, advances in quiet supersonic aircraft technology now make it possible to modernize those rules while maintaining public safety.
The legislation would also codify President Donald Trump's 2025 executive order directing the FAA to replace outdated supersonic flight regulations with modern, noise-based standards.
Supporting Advanced Air Mobility
The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act seeks to improve the FAA's certification process for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft.
The bipartisan legislation would:
- Increase transparency in the FAA certification process.
- Improve predictability for aircraft manufacturers.
- Expand FAA staffing capacity.
- Reduce certification delays.
- Help American aviation companies remain globally competitive.
Looking ahead
Nehls said both measures are intended to accelerate aerospace innovation while ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of aviation technology.
He said he plans to continue working with colleagues in both chambers to move the legislation to President Trump's desk.
