The ACCESS Act (Bill S.3894) is a proposed law that wants to help seniors, especially those in nursing homes, get better access to digital technology and online health care. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for seniors to connect with others. The bill suggests using money to buy devices, set up internet connections, and teach seniors how to use digital technology.
Many media outlets have praised the ACCESS Act for its focus on improving digital literacy and access among seniors, a group often overlooked in discussions of technology. They appreciate the bill's intention to mitigate the isolation experienced by seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have highlighted the potential of the bill to improve access to telehealth services, which have become increasingly important in the current health crisis.
However, some media outlets have expressed concerns about the bill. Critics argue that the bill doesn't address the root problem of digital literacy among seniors, and that simply providing devices and internet connections may not be enough. They suggest that more comprehensive education programs are needed. Others worry about the cost of the bill and whether it's the best use of resources during a pandemic.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen's top donor industries include Retired and Government sectors, both of which have been identified as having overlaps with the subject matter of the bill (Immigration). The Retired sector has contributed $750,000,000 and the Government sector has contributed $300,000,000 to the Senator's campaign. This presents a potential conflict of interest as these sectors could potentially influence the Senator's stance on the bill. Additionally, there has been significant lobbying activity in the bill's policy area, with various entities spending undisclosed amounts. However, it is important to note that these entities are not directly linked to the Senator's donors, which mitigates the risk somewhat.
These industries are both affected by this bill and among the sponsor's top donors.
| Industry | Match Type | Related Subject | Donations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retired (W06) | Sector | Immigration | $750,000,000 |
| Government (W02) | Sector | Immigration | $300,000,000 |
| Total from overlapping industries | $1,050,000,000 | ||
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NAIOP | NAIOP | $378,112 |
| HEALTHCARE INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY | HEALTHCARE INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY | $50,973 |
| JOHNSTOWN-CAMBRIA COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY & CAMBRIAN HILLS DEVELOPMENT GROUP | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $50,000 |
| GHOST ROBOTICS CORPORATION | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $50,000 |
| GEISSELE AUTOMATICS | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $50,000 |
| PJM INTERCONNECTION LLC | PJM INTERCONNECTION, LLC | $50,000 |
| HOWMET | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $40,000 |
| PAUL MITCHELL ADVANCED EDUCATION | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $40,000 |
| ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC | SUSAN PLATT | $30,000 |
| ISSA | ISSA | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | undisclosed |
| NORTH AMERICAN INSULATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION | NORTH AMERICAN INSULATION MANUFACTURERS ASSOC. | undisclosed |
| RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL US SERVICES LLC | RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL US SERVICES LLC | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL MOBILITY EQUIPMENT DEALERS ASSOCIATION | NATIONAL MOBILITY EQUIPMENT DEALERS ASSOCIATION | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Jeanne Shaheen, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)