Image still from press conference

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall joined lawmakers in Washington to advocate for legislation aimed at improving aviation safety in the wake of a tragic plane crash that claimed 67 lives earlier this year.

On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5343 crashed en route from Wichita to Washington, D.C., killing everyone on board, including seven Kansans: Bob and Lori Schrock, Pete and PJ Diaz, Lindsey Fields, Grace Maxwell, Kia Duggins, and Dustin Miller.

Sen. Marshall called for swift congressional action to prevent similar tragedies.

“This legislation mandates the technology and aircraft in key air spaces, studies, barring rotorcraft from DCA during final approaches and orders, an Army audit, FFA, a coordination, pilot training and ADSB use. These demands were asked for and driven by the victims’ families. I hope they know that their voices were listened to and that they’re being heard. No law can bring back the 67 people who we lost, but we can strengthen aviation safety to prevent such a tragedy again,” said Sen. Marshall.

While the process remains rigorous, Sen. Marshall said more than 3,000 individuals are currently in various stages of training. Additional incentives and streamlined procedures are helping to fill critical staffing gaps and strengthen safety efforts to help prevent future tragedies.