FAA SMS Compliance Review Act of 2026

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Bill ID: 119/s/3700
Last Updated: April 7, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

ID: C000127

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

February 12, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

📍 Current Status

Next: The full Senate will vote on whether to pass the bill.

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

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 masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. The FAA SMS Compliance Review Act of 2026 - because what's more exciting than a bill about safety management systems?

Let's dissect this monstrosity:

**New regulations being created or modified:** This bill creates an "expert review panel" to evaluate the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Safety Management System (SMS). Because, clearly, the FAA can't be trusted to manage its own safety protocols without a committee of "experts" holding their hands.

**Affected industries and sectors:** The aviation industry, specifically airlines, air traffic controllers, and aerospace manufacturers. But don't worry, they'll just pass on the costs to consumers in the form of higher ticket prices or reduced services.

**Compliance requirements and timelines:** The review panel must submit its findings within 12 months, which will undoubtedly lead to a flurry of new regulations, guidelines, and bureaucratic red tape. Because what's more efficient than adding another layer of complexity to an already Byzantine system?

**Enforcement mechanisms and penalties:** Ah, the fun part! Non-compliance with these new regulations will likely result in fines, penalties, and other forms of punishment for those naughty airlines and manufacturers who fail to toe the line.

**Economic and operational impacts:** This bill will undoubtedly lead to increased costs, reduced efficiency, and a further stifling of innovation in the aviation industry. But hey, at least we'll have more "experts" telling us how to do our jobs!

Now, let's get to the real diagnosis:

This bill is a classic case of **Regulatory Capture**, where special interest groups (in this case, labor unions and aerospace manufacturers) use their influence to shape regulations that benefit themselves, rather than the public good. It's a textbook example of how politicians can be bought and sold by those with deep pockets.

The symptoms are clear:

* A bloated bureaucracy, eager to justify its own existence * A lack of trust in the FAA's ability to manage its own safety protocols * A desire to placate special interest groups at the expense of the public good

Treatment? Ah, that's easy: a healthy dose of skepticism, a strong stomach for bureaucratic nonsense, and a willingness to call out this legislative charade for what it is - a thinly veiled attempt to line the pockets of those who matter most in Washington.

Related Topics

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

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$100,760
20 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$100,760
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0

No PAC contributions found

1
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
SAN PABLO LYTTON TRIBE
2 transactions
$6,600
3
NISQUALLY INDIAN TRIBE
2 transactions
$6,600
4
SWINOMISH TRIBAL COMMUNITY
2 transactions
$6,600
5
JAMESTOWN S'KLALLAM TRIBE
2 transactions
$6,600
6
KALISPEL TRIBE OF INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
7
MAKAH TRIBAL COUNCIL
2 transactions
$6,600
8
TULALIP TRIBES
2 transactions
$6,600
9
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
2 transactions
$6,600
10
CONFEDERATED TRIBES AND BANDS OF THE YAKAMA NATION
2 transactions
$6,600
11
SAC FOX TRIBE
1 transaction
$5,000
12
LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,360
13
SAULT STE MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
14
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
15
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
16
TWENTY-NINE PALMS BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
17
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
18
COWLITZ INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
19
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
20
SPOKANE TRIBE OF INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 7 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

ID: D000622

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Organization NEWARK, NJ
$6,132
Feb 7, 2023
2
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Organization NEWARK, NJ
$605
Mar 3, 2023
3
CITIBUSINESS CARD
Organization COLUMBUS, OH
$347
Jan 10, 2023
4
CITIBUSINESS CARD
Organization COLUMBUS, OH
$254
Feb 7, 2023
5
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Organization NEWARK, NJ
$98
Jan 10, 2023
6
CITIBUSINESS CARD
Organization COLUMBUS, OH
$74
Mar 3, 2023
7
KELLY, MICHAEL
WALKUP LAW FIRM ATTORNEY
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
8
LISTER, AMANDA
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
9
SUMEY, ROGER
Individual ELLICOTT CITY, MD
$3,300
Oct 11, 2023
10
CHEN, QIANHUI
RENAISSANCE TECHNOLOGIES LLC ANALYST
Individual SETAUKET, NY
$3,300
Mar 2, 2024

Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

ID: M000133

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 28, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 26, 2023
3
DONOHUE, JOHN
ARBELLA INSURANCE
Individual BELMONT, MA
$6,600
May 20, 2024
4
MARCHAND, PAUL
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS EVP HR
Individual MONTCLAIR, NJ
$4,200
Mar 11, 2024
5
MOUTOUDIS, ELEFTHERIA
ELEFTHERIA MOUTOUDIS SELF EMPLOYEED
Individual SOUTHBOROUGH, MA
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
6
MOUTOUDIS, EVANGELOS
DEKK GROUO BUSINESS OWNER
Individual SOUTHBOROUGH, MA
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
7
SCHMIDT, WENDY
NONE INVESTMENTS AND PHILANTHROPY
Individual PALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Oct 2, 2024
8
SWIG, MARY
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Aug 31, 2024
9
ABRAMS, JEFFREY J.
BAD ROBOT FOUNDER
Individual ENCINO, CA
$3,300
Oct 10, 2023
10
ABRAMS, JEFFREY J.
BAD ROBOT FOUNDER
Individual ENCINO, CA
$3,300
Oct 10, 2023

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

ID: W000805

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN HEALTHCARE, LLC
Organization ROANOKE, VA
$5,300
Sep 25, 2024
2
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$600
Sep 28, 2023
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$400
Sep 28, 2023
4
DEKKER, DAVID T.
PILLSBURY VICE CHAIR
Individual BETHESDA, MD
$9,900
Dec 31, 2024
5
TULL, THOMAS
TULCO CEO
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$6,000
Nov 21, 2024
6
SWARTZ, SUSAN
SELF EMPLOYED ARTIST
Individual PARK CITY, UT
$3,300
Jul 31, 2023
7
MATNEY, JOHN
RAPOCA ENERGY COMPANY PARTNER
Individual BRISTOL, VA
$3,300
Aug 29, 2023
8
MILLONES, PETER
BOOKING HOLDINGS INC. ATTORNEY
Individual DARIEN, CT
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
9
MATNEY, JUSTIN K
SELF EMPLOYED BUSINESS OWNER
Individual BRISTOL, VA
$3,300
Aug 29, 2023
10
MATNEY, JOHN
RAPOCA ENERGY COMPANY PARTNER
Individual BRISTOL, VA
$3,300
Aug 29, 2023

Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

ID: S001181

Top Contributors

10

1
TILT LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE LLC
Organization PLYMOUTH, MI
$250
Feb 6, 2024
2
HAWASH, NOUR
BLINK TECH INC. VICE PRESIDENT
Individual DUNN LORING, VA
$6,600
Dec 12, 2024
3
HAWASH, NOUR
Individual DUNN LORING, VA
$6,600
Dec 23, 2024
4
HAWASH, NOUR
BLINK TECH INC. VICE PRESIDENT
Individual DUNN LORING, VA
$3,300
Dec 12, 2024
5
HAWASH, NOUR
BLINK TECH INC. VICE PRESIDENT
Individual DUNN LORING, VA
$3,300
Dec 12, 2024
6
HAWASH, SAFA
ACCLIVITY LLC BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Individual DUNN LORING, VA
$3,300
Dec 11, 2024
7
HAWASH, SAFA
ACCLIVITY LLC BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Individual DUNN LORING, VA
$3,300
Dec 11, 2024
8
JONDY, JENAN
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual FLUSHING, MI
$3,300
Dec 16, 2024
9
KANDIL, MARIAM
SELF-EMPLOYED BUSINESS OWNER
Individual GREAT FALLS, VA
$3,300
Dec 16, 2024
10
KANDIL, MARIAM
SELF-EMPLOYED BUSINESS OWNER
Individual GREAT FALLS, VA
$3,300
Dec 16, 2024

Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

ID: K000367

Top Contributors

10

1
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
Organization CASS LAKE, MN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Aug 25, 2023
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$2,500
Oct 7, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$2,300
Jul 17, 2023
5
ARISTOTLE INTERNATIONAL
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Jul 19, 2024
6
SMITH, BRADFORD
MICROSOFT CORPORATION ATTORNEY
Individual BELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
7
SMITH, BRADFORD
Individual BELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
8
BADEN, DREW
PROFESSOR UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Individual BETHESDA, MD
$6,600
Feb 23, 2024
9
CAUCHY, CONSTANCE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MIDLAND, MI
$6,600
Jun 2, 2024
10
BADEN, DREW
Individual BETHESDA, MD
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024

Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

ID: W000800

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 8, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
May 3, 2024
3
FIELD, MARSHALL
THE OLD MOUNTAIN COMPANY, INC. EXECUTIVE
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$3,300
May 18, 2023
4
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
5
RECHNITZ, JOAN
Individual RED BANK, NJ
$3,300
Apr 22, 2024
6
GORDON, PATRICIA
SELF MD
Individual LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
May 22, 2024
7
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
8
STILLER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 22, 2024
9
KALKUT, CRAIG
WEST FRONT STRATEGIES GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$2,500
May 3, 2023
10
SCHWARTZ, MARTIN
MINILEC SERVICE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
Individual CARMEL, CA
$2,000
May 18, 2023

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

ID: K000384

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,300
Jun 18, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 26, 2023
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
6
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$1,000
Oct 15, 2024
7
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 29, 2023
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Oct 25, 2023
9
STONEHALL FARM
Organization THE PLAINS, VA
$500
Jun 30, 2024
10
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Oct 25, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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Showing 35 nodes and 45 connections

Total contributions: $145,294

Top Donors - Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount

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