Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Abraham Hamadeh proudly introduced the Maverick Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill to preserve the last three F-14 Tomcats for public display and educational purposes. The legislation is a companion to a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT).

Original cosponsors of Congressman Hamadeh’s bill include Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA), Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA), Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI), Congressman Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Congressman Don Davis (D-NC), and Congressman James Moylan (R-GU).

The Maverick Act of 2026 creates a narrow exception to the post-retirement restrictions that have destroyed nearly all F-14s, ensuring that its legacy is preserved. The Maverick Act allows three of the world’s final Tomcats to be demilitarized and transferred for public display and education under strict national security safeguards. It does not restore combat capability or reopen foreign transfer.

“As a young man, I was inspired by the popular Tom Cruise movie Top Gun, which featured the F-14, one of the most iconic aircraft ever flown,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “As a former U.S. Army officer, I know that many of the men and women I served with felt the same way. That is why I proudly introduced this legislation.”

“Because this legislation does not come at a cost to our hard-working taxpayers, I expect that my fellow fiscal conservatives will happily support this legislation,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “I am grateful to the cosponsors of the bill, who have already offered their enthusiastic support.”

In an amendment to the FY26 defense bill signed into law by President Trump, Congressman Hamadeh also secured five T-37 jet trainer aircraft from Tucson’s boneyard, saving them from final destruction. These jets trained aces, astronauts, and our first female aviators and now, the Arizona Aviation Historical Group will bring one back to its former glory, promoting historical preservation, STEM, aviation education, and recruitment.

BACKGROUND:

From Naval History and Heritage Command:

The F-14, a carrier-based aircraft, entered the U.S. Navy inventory in 1972 and retired in September 1996.

Known for its AIM-54 Phoenix missile system and its portrayal in Top Gun, it saw extensive service in the Gulf War, the Balkans, and Iraq.

The Top Gun film grossed over $357 million, and according to IMDb, caused a "40% spike in Ray-Ban Aviator sales."