Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2591
Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Sponsored by

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

ID: C001117

Follow the money

The bill

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025

HR. 2591, 119th Congress β€” read as touching Airlines.

The sponsor

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

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$72,800 raised

22 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

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 8, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

πŸ“ Current Status

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

πŸŽ‰

Passed Congress

πŸ–ŠοΈ

Presidential Action

βš–οΈ

Became Law

πŸ“š 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

Public Health & Pandemic Response
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

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

Congress 119 β€’ 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
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jun 6, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
3
LEECH LAKE - PAC
OrganizationCASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Dec 12, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 13, 2023
5
GOOGLE
OrganizationMOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
$1,000
Feb 21, 2023
6
CHAIN BRIDGE BANK
OrganizationMCLEAN, VA
$25
Dec 6, 2023
7
ZOTTO, CARLA DEL
IndividualGLADEWATER, TX
$10,000
Aug 27, 2024
8
ANDERSON, ROLLIS
ANDERSON TRUCKING SERVICE INC. β€’ CEO
IndividualSAINT CLOUD, MN
$9,900
Feb 8, 2024
9
FAISON, JAY
CLEARPATH β€’ FOUNDER
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
10
NYSTROM, BRIAN AND MARY ANN
NYSTROM & ASSOCIATES β€’ PRESIDENT & CEO
IndividualANDOVER, MN
$6,600
Sep 27, 2024

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

ID: L000560

Top Contributors

10

1
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
OrganizationLA CONNER, WA
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
2
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
OrganizationLA CONNER, WA
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
3
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
OrganizationTULALIP, WA
$3,300
May 5, 2023
4
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$3,300
Apr 26, 2024
5
LUMMI INDIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL
OrganizationBELLINGHAM, WA
$3,300
May 8, 2024
6
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
7
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
OrganizationTULALIP, WA
$3,300
Jun 26, 2024
8
THE JAMESTOWN S'KLALLAM TRIBE
OrganizationSEQUIM, WA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
9
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$2,900
May 19, 2023
10
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,000
Jun 14, 2024

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

ID: M000871

Top Contributors

10

1
PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION
OrganizationMAYETTA, KS
$3,300
Jul 18, 2023
2
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$2,500
Sep 9, 2024
3
DEMETREE, MARK
DEMETREE SALT LLC β€’ CEO
IndividualLEAWOOD, KS
$13,200
Nov 3, 2023
4
CORDES, SHANE L.
MIDWEST ATC β€’ CEO
IndividualCHERRY HILLS VILLA, CO
$13,200
Nov 3, 2023
5
FLOYD, MARTIE
SELF-EMPLOYED β€’ FARMER
IndividualJOHNSON, KS
$6,600
Dec 8, 2023
6
HEBENSTREIT, JAMES
BARTLETT AND COMPANY β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualKANSAS CITY, MO
$6,600
Dec 4, 2023
7
FLOYD, MARTIE
SELF-EMPLOYED β€’ FARMER
IndividualJOHNSON, KS
$6,600
Dec 8, 2023
8
BARTON, TIMOTHY
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Nov 2, 2023
9
HURD, MATTHEW D.
INSCO β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualWELLSVILLE, KS
$6,600
Dec 11, 2023
10
OLSEN, LINDSAY
MORTGAGE INVESTMENT TRUST CORPORATION β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualPRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS
$6,600
Mar 16, 2023

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

ID: W000808

Top Contributors

10

1
MAGELLAN HOUSING
OrganizationSUGAR LAND, TX
$1,500
Mar 27, 2024
2
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$5,000
Jul 18, 2024
3
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,400
Aug 2, 2024
4
SANDBERG, SHERYL
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ PHILANTHROPIST
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
5
ARISON, MADELEINE
HOMEMAKER β€’ HOMEMAKER
IndividualBAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
6
ARISON, MICKY
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualBAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
7
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Jun 28, 2023
8
MOISE, RUDOLPH
SELF-EMPLOYED β€’ PHYSICIAN
IndividualDAVIE, FL
$3,300
Jul 18, 2024
9
STIEFEL, BARBARA
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualCORAL GABLES, FL
$3,300
Jul 18, 2024
10
ACCIME, HERICKSON
KEMET GROUP β€’ ENGINEER
IndividualMIAMI, FL
$3,300
Jul 14, 2023

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

ID: B001301

Top Contributors

10

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
2
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationMT. PLEASANT, MI
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 17, 2024
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
5
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,000
Dec 31, 2023
6
SAULT STE MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
OrganizationSAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI
$2,900
Dec 7, 2023
7
DRESNER, LINDA
DRESNER DESIGNS β€’ CEO
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Dec 6, 2023
8
LEVY, EDWARD
WEST BAY BEACH RESORT β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Dec 6, 2023
9
TAYLOR, MARGARETTA J. MS
NONE β€’ RETIRED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 5, 2024
10
GREENBLATT, SCOTT
VETERANS GUARDIAN VA CLAIM CONSULTING β€’ CEO
IndividualPINEHURST, NC
$6,600
Jun 29, 2023

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

ID: D000629

Top Contributors

10

1
HO-CHUNK NATION
OrganizationBLACK RIVER FALLS, WI
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
2
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
OrganizationCASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
3
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
4
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
OrganizationTUCSON, AZ
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
5
PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL
OrganizationWELCH, MN
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
6
REDDING RANCHERIA
OrganizationREDDING, CA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationFORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 15, 2024
8
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
HO CHUNK NATION
OrganizationBLACK 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
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,500
Dec 31, 2024
2
STATA FAMILY OFFICE
Organization
$500
Apr 26, 2024
3
ASHER, ROBERT B.
IndividualGWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Oct 9, 2024
4
ASHER, ROBERT B.
ASHER CHOCOLATES β€’ CHAIRMAN
IndividualGWYNEDD VALLEY, PA
$10,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
LEVY, EDWARD JR
EDW C LEVY CO β€’ CHAIRMAN
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Feb 26, 2024
6
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
7
EVANS, ROGER
GREYLOCK PARTNERS β€’ PARTNER EMERITUS
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$6,600
Feb 27, 2024
8
LEACH, RONALD
NPX ONE β€’ CHAIRMAN & CEO
IndividualGENEVA, IL
$6,600
Feb 28, 2024
9
MCCLAIN, MARK
SAILPOINT β€’ CEO
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$6,600
Mar 2, 2024
10
CROTTY, THOMAS
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, 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

10

1
DONOHOE, BERT
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. β€’ EVP, REAL ESTATE
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$3,300
May 2, 2024
2
OTONI, RAFAELA
HILTON CORPORATION β€’ PRESIDENT & CEO
IndividualMC LEAN, VA
$3,300
May 3, 2024
3
REID, JACK
RAM CUSTOM SERVICES β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualCHESAPEAKE BEACH, MD
$3,300
May 6, 2024
4
LEWIS, JACQUELINE
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jul 10, 2023
5
LEWIS, JACQUELINE
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jul 10, 2023
6
BARRY, DAVID E. JR
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBEALLSVILLE, MD
$2,500
May 12, 2024
7
POLASKI, MICHAEL
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. β€’ EXECUTIVE
IndividualBROADLANDS, VA
$2,500
May 13, 2024
8
GRUNLEY, KENNETH
GRUNLEY CONSTRUCTION β€’ CEO
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$2,500
Jun 23, 2023
9
BRUCH, CHRIS
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. β€’ CEO
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$2,300
Apr 30, 2024
10
EARNEST, JAMES M.
SELF-EMPLOYED β€’ REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$2,300
May 10, 2024

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

ID: N000002

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
2
KRAMER DILLOF LIVINGSTON & MOORE
OrganizationNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON DAKOTA POLITICAL COMMITTEE
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 6, 2023
4
TONIO BURGOS & ASSOCIATES
OrganizationTRINITY, NY
$1,000
Aug 1, 2023
5
VILLAGE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS
OrganizationNEW YORK, NY
$300
Sep 21, 2023
6
JOSEPHSON, JOHN H
SESAC MUSIC GROUP β€’ CEO
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
7
LAWRENCE, DOUGLAS
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
8
RECHLER, DEBBY
HOMEMAKER
IndividualGLEN HEAD, NY
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
9
RUBIN, JUDY
NOT EMPLOYED β€’ NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
10
ALIX, JAY
JAY ALIX & ASSOCIATES β€’ EXECUTIVE
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, 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.

Loading...

Showing 61 nodes and 37 connections (46 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $128,600

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

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

1 Org20 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.

  • +Airlinesconfidence 0.90

    Section 2(a) requires FAA to update regulations to encourage individuals to seek help for mental health conditions and disclose them, which benefits airlines by potentially improving pilot mental health and safety, reducing stigma, and increasing workforce retention. Section 3 requires annual review of mental health special issuance process, including reclassifying and approving additional medications for airmen, improving training for aviation medical examiners, and improving the special issuan

  • +Labor Unionsconfidence 0.85

    Section 2(b)(2)(A) and (B) require consultation with certified exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers and organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots, which are labor unions. This provision gives unions a formal role in the regulatory process, benefiting them by increasing their influence over aviation mental health policies. Section 5(b) also requires consultation with the same parties when implementing Aviation Rulemakin

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β€” they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 25 contributions
    • BOLAM, JEFFREY M$515
    • SHAW, JENIFER$40

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