Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2591
Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

ID: C001117

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

September 9, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another exercise in legislative theater. Let's dissect the "Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025" and expose the real disease beneath.

**Diagnosis:** This bill is a classic case of "Regulatory Capture-itis," where special interest groups (aviation industry, medical examiners, and psychiatrists) have successfully lobbied for regulations that benefit them, while pretending to care about mental health.

**Symptoms:**

* The bill creates new regulations for aviation workers with mental health conditions, which will inevitably lead to more bureaucratic red tape and increased costs for airlines and pilots. * The affected industries are aviation (airlines, pilots, air traffic controllers) and medical examiners. Expect a surge in demand for psychiatrists and medical examiners, conveniently funded by taxpayers ($13,740,000 set aside for each of fiscal years 2026-2028). * Compliance requirements include updating regulations within 2 years, conducting annual reviews, and implementing recommendations from the Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee (because who doesn't love a good committee?). * Enforcement mechanisms are vague, but expect more paperwork, reporting requirements, and potential penalties for non-compliance. * Economic impacts will be significant, as airlines and pilots absorb the costs of increased regulatory burdens. Operational impacts will include longer wait times for medical clearances and potentially reduced air traffic controller capacity.

**Treatment:** None needed; this bill is a symptom of a larger disease – the insatiable appetite for regulation and special interest group influence in Washington. The real cure would be to excise the cancer of corruption and cronyism from our legislative process.

**Prognosis:** This bill will pass, because who wouldn't want to appear supportive of mental health? It'll become another example of regulatory overreach, driving up costs and stifling innovation in the aviation industry. Meanwhile, the real issues – like addressing the root causes of mental health problems or improving access to care – will remain unaddressed.

In conclusion, this bill is a textbook case of "Legislative Malpractice." It's a cynical exercise in regulatory capture, designed to benefit special interests while pretending to address a pressing issue. Don't be fooled; the only thing being treated here is the politicians' need for re-election and the lobbyists' desire for more influence.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement State & Local Government Affairs Civil Rights & Liberties Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations & Accountability Small Business & Entrepreneurship National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$72,800
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$6,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,200

No PAC contributions found

1
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
2 transactions
$6,600

No committee contributions found

1
TAMELING, GRETTA A.
1 transaction
$3,500
2
HUANG, CAROLINE B
1 transaction
$3,300
3
PRICE, RICHARD S
1 transaction
$3,300
4
SIMON, DEBORAH
1 transaction
$3,300
5
ABDEY, JULIAN
1 transaction
$3,300
6
ANDREAE, CHRISTINE
1 transaction
$3,300
7
ANDREAE, ERICA
1 transaction
$3,300
8
ANDREAE, MORGAN
1 transaction
$3,300
9
BEEUWKES, REINIER III
1 transaction
$3,300
10
BISKIND, EDWARD I
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BISKIND, JANINE
1 transaction
$3,300
12
CAMERON, GREGORY
1 transaction
$3,300
13
DAHLSTROM, PATRICK V
1 transaction
$3,300
14
DAVIS, TONY
1 transaction
$3,300
15
GUPTA, POOJA
1 transaction
$3,300
16
HEBEISEN, KEITH A.
1 transaction
$3,300
17
HEGARTY, TERRENCE K.
1 transaction
$3,300
18
JONES, CAROL A
1 transaction
$3,300
19
KLARMAN, SETH
1 transaction
$3,300
20
KLASSEN, PETER T.
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

ID: S001212

Top Contributors

10

1
DEMOCRACY ENGINE INC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 6, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
3
LEECH LAKE - PAC
Organization CASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Dec 12, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 13, 2023
5
GOOGLE
Organization MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
$1,000
Feb 21, 2023
6
CHAIN BRIDGE BANK
Organization MCLEAN, VA
$25
Dec 6, 2023
7
ZOTTO, CARLA DEL
Individual GLADEWATER, TX
$10,000
Aug 27, 2024
8
ANDERSON, ROLLIS
ANDERSON TRUCKING SERVICE INC. CEO
Individual SAINT CLOUD, MN
$9,900
Feb 8, 2024
9
FAISON, JAY
CLEARPATH FOUNDER
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
10
NYSTROM, BRIAN AND MARY ANN
NYSTROM & ASSOCIATES PRESIDENT & CEO
Individual ANDOVER, MN
$6,600
Sep 27, 2024

Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]

ID: L000560

Top Contributors

10

1
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Organization LA CONNER, WA
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
2
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Organization LA CONNER, WA
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
3
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
Organization TULALIP, WA
$3,300
May 5, 2023
4
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$3,300
Apr 26, 2024
5
LUMMI INDIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL
Organization BELLINGHAM, WA
$3,300
May 8, 2024
6
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
7
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
Organization TULALIP, WA
$3,300
Jun 26, 2024
8
THE JAMESTOWN S'KLALLAM TRIBE
Organization SEQUIM, WA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
9
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$2,900
May 19, 2023
10
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,000
Jun 14, 2024

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

ID: M000871

Top Contributors

10

1
PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION
Organization MAYETTA, KS
$3,300
Jul 18, 2023
2
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$2,500
Sep 9, 2024
3
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
4
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
5
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$2,500
Mar 28, 2023
6
BARKER FOR SHERIFF
Organization CLINTON, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
7
CARBON RIVERS, INC.
Organization KNOXVILLE, TN
$1,000
Mar 16, 2023
8
POLITY GROUP LLC
Organization PORTLAND, OR
$2,500
Oct 28, 2024
9
LYNN D'ELIA TEMES & STANCZYK
Organization SYRACUSE, NY
$1,000
Mar 12, 2024
10
POSARE SALON
Organization HENDERSON, NE
$3,300
May 3, 2024

Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

ID: W000808

Top Contributors

10

1
MAGELLAN HOUSING
Organization SUGAR LAND, TX
$1,500
Mar 27, 2024
2
UFCW LOCAL 1059
Organization COLUMBUS, OH
$2,500
Jun 15, 2024
3
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
Organization ROCK HILL, SC
$2,000
May 6, 2024
4
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES PRESIDENT
Individual MIAMI, FL
$5,000
Jul 18, 2024
5
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,400
Aug 2, 2024
6
SANDBERG, SHERYL
NOT EMPLOYED PHILANTHROPIST
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
ARISON, MADELEINE
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER
Individual BAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
8
ARISON, MICKY
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual BAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
9
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES PRESIDENT
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Jun 28, 2023
10
MOISE, RUDOLPH
SELF-EMPLOYED PHYSICIAN
Individual DAVIE, FL
$3,300
Jul 18, 2024

Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

ID: B001301

Top Contributors

10

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization SHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
2
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE
Organization MT. PLEASANT, MI
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 17, 2024
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
5
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,000
Dec 31, 2023
6
SAULT STE MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
Organization SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI
$2,900
Dec 7, 2023
7
BERNARD, BRETT
EPM REAL ESTATE REALTOR
Individual CORDOVA, TN
$3,262
Sep 2, 2023
8
JOHNSON, SHIRLEY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual MEMPHIS, TN
$1,573
Jun 22, 2023
9
STOWELL, DAVID
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual MEMPHIS, TN
$1,100
Oct 23, 2024
10
MCKNETT, WILLIAM
PROTEK CONTRACTOR
Individual OAKLAND, TN
$1,000
Feb 5, 2024

Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

ID: D000629

Top Contributors

10

1
HO-CHUNK NATION
Organization BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
2
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
Organization CASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
3
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization SHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
4
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
Organization TUCSON, AZ
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
5
PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL
Organization WELCH, MN
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
6
REDDING RANCHERIA
Organization REDDING, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE
Organization FORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 15, 2024
8
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
HO CHUNK NATION
Organization BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

ID: F000466

Top Contributors

10

1
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,500
Dec 31, 2024
2
STATA FAMILY OFFICE
Organization
$500
Apr 26, 2024
3
ASHER, ROBERT B.
Individual GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Oct 9, 2024
4
ASHER, ROBERT B.
ASHER CHOCOLATES CHAIRMAN
Individual GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
LEVY, EDWARD JR
EDW C LEVY CO CHAIRMAN
Individual BIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Feb 26, 2024
6
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SCOTTSDALE, AZ
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
7
EVANS, ROGER
GREYLOCK PARTNERS PARTNER EMERITUS
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
8
LEACH, RONALD
NPX ONE CHAIRMAN & CEO
Individual GENEVA, IL
$6,600
Feb 28, 2024
9
MCCLAIN, MARK
SAILPOINT CEO
Individual AUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Mar 2, 2024
10
CROTTY, THOMAS
Individual SCOTTSDALE, AZ
$6,600
Mar 8, 2024

Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]

ID: K000404

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

ID: N000147

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

ID: N000002

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
2
KRAMER DILLOF LIVINGSTON & MOORE
Organization NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON DAKOTA POLITICAL COMMITTEE
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 6, 2023
4
TONIO BURGOS & ASSOCIATES
Organization TRINITY, NY
$1,000
Aug 1, 2023
5
VILLAGE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS
Organization NEW YORK, NY
$300
Sep 21, 2023
6
JOSEPHSON, JOHN H
SESAC MUSIC GROUP CEO
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
7
LAWRENCE, DOUGLAS
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
8
RECHLER, DEBBY
HOMEMAKER
Individual GLEN HEAD, NY
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
9
RUBIN, JUDY
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
10
ALIX, JAY
JAY ALIX & ASSOCIATES EXECUTIVE
Individual BIRMINGHAM, MI
$3,300
Sep 4, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 41 nodes and 37 connections

Total contributions: $114,800

Top Donors - Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

1 Org20 Individuals