Minnesota State Wire

Pete Stauber, Representative of Minnesota, announced that the House has passed his Mental Health in Aviation Act. The legislation aims to strengthen workforce support and Stauber pledged to advance it further with Representative Sean Casten. The statement was made on X, a social media platform.

"BIG WIN: The House passed my Mental Health in Aviation Act to better support the mental health of our aviation workforce & maintain American aviation as the gold standard for the world," said Peter Allen Stauber, U.S. Representative of Minnesota's 8th Congressional District (R). "I'm proud to be leading this effort alongside Rep. Sean Casten. We will work to get it across the finish line!"

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), in September 2025, the U.S. House passed the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 (H.R. 2591). The bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Sean Casten and Pete Stauber, mandates that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revise its regulations within two years. This revision is intended to encourage pilots and other aviation personnel to disclose mental health issues and seek treatment without facing undue penalties.

A study published in 2024 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information indicates that over 5,000 U.S. pilots may be flying while experiencing untreated anxiety or other psychological symptoms. Many pilots reportedly underreport these conditions due to fear of losing FAA medical certification, highlighting systemic challenges in aviation mental health.

Airport Technology reports that global studies show 10–15% of air traffic controllers experience high levels of stress or burnout. In the U.S., many are reluctant to seek help because FAA medical rules risk grounding them, whereas some international regulators provide more supportive frameworks, underscoring policy gaps.

According to his official House biography, Pete Stauber has represented Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District since 2019 after serving as a St. Louis County Commissioner and police officer. He sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, focusing on aviation, rural development, and public safety legislation.