House T&I Committee Passes Nehls’ Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act
December 18, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) of the House Subcommittee on Aviation announced his bill, H.R. 3410, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act, passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
“For decades, American aviation innovation has been hindered due to outdated and arbitrary regulations,” said Chairman Nehls. "In order to remain the gold standard, we must enable our industry to produce the next generation of passenger aircraft. My legislation cuts through outdated red tape without compromising safety and ensures the United States, not China, leads the next era of aerospace innovation. Importantly, my bill codifies President Trump’s executive order, which ensures the U.S. is the world’s leader in supersonic aviation. I’m pleased the SAM Act has passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I look forward to its passage through the House."
Background
Congressman Nehls and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced H.R. 3410 on May 14, 2025. The SAM Act directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue or revise regulations, within one year of enactment, to allow for the operation of civil aviation aircraft to operate at speeds of Mach 1 or higher so long as no sonic boom reaches the ground, maintaining the highest public safety standards while allowing innovation to move forward.
Enacted in 1973, 14 CFR § 91.817 dictates that no person may operate a civil aircraft in the United States at a speed of Mach 1 or higher, thereby prohibiting non-military-related supersonic flight over the United States. American companies have developed quiet supersonic technologies, and these companies have demonstrated that their aircraft can operate above Mach 1. Despite these innovations, 14 CFR § 91.817 continues to restrict supersonic operations.
The SAM Act, if enacted, would require the FAA to revise existing regulations to allow for the operation of supersonic civil aircraft. Operators would be permitted to fly their aircraft at supersonic speeds within the National Airspace System as long as no sonic boom reaches the ground.
On June 6, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order entitled, “Leading the World in Supersonic Flight,”which directs the FAA to lift the U.S. ban on supersonic flight by repealing outdated FAA regulations and establishing updated noise-based standards. The SAM Act codifies President Trump’s executive order.