NATCA Applauds Unanimous Passage of John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation and Aviation Medication Transparency Acts by Senate

WASHINGTON – The National Air Traffic Controllers Association thanks the U.S. Senate for its unanimous passage of the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act (S.3257) and the Aviation Medication Transparency Act (S.3258). NATCA thanks Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota and Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois for their bipartisan leadership and advocacy in moving these bills quickly through the Senate. These bills represent meaningful progress toward ensuring a safer and healthier aviation workforce.

Air traffic controllers who seek mental health care face significant obstacles. The current system perpetuates a culture of silence and stigma that must be addressed. The John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act and the Aviation Medication Transparency Act would eliminate many of the barriers to mental health care for controllers and other aviation safety professionals and would enable safe use of certain pre-approved medications. These bills would help ensure the well-being of critical aviation professionals and enhance safety for the flying public.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591) earlier this month and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved its version of the Aviation Medication Transparency Act (H.R.2592) last week. We urge both chambers to quickly resolve any differences between the bills and pass identical versions when they return in November.