The USCP Empowerment Act of 2025 is a proposed law that would give the United States Capitol Police (USCP) the authority to detect, track, warn, disrupt, seize, or destroy drones that pose a credible threat to the safety and security of the Capitol and its occupants. The bill also includes provisions to protect privacy by limiting the interception and retention of communications to what is absolutely necessary and requiring the USCP to report their actions to Congress every six months.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary measure to enhance the security of the Capitol complex, especially in light of the increasing use of drones for various purposes. They believe that granting the USCP the authority to neutralize potential drone threats will help prevent incidents that could endanger lawmakers, staff, and visitors. The bill's emphasis on privacy protections and regular reporting to Congress is seen as a balanced approach to security and civil liberties.
Critics express concerns that the bill could lead to overreach by the Capitol Police and potential violations of privacy rights. They worry that the broad authority to intercept communications and take action against drones could be misused or lead to unintended consequences. Additionally, some argue that the bill's provisions may conflict with existing federal laws governing airspace and communications, potentially leading to legal challenges and operational complications.
The USCP Empowerment Act of 2025, sponsored by Eli Crane, does not show any direct industry overlaps with the sponsor's top donor industries, which include Health Professionals and Retired individuals, totaling $472,500,000. This lack of overlap suggests that the primary financial backers of the sponsor are not directly influenced by the bill's subject matter. Additionally, while there is significant lobbying activity in the policy area, particularly from companies like Tencent America and Alibaba Group, these entities do not appear to have a direct financial connection to the sponsor's top donors. Therefore, the potential for conflicts of interest remains low, as the financial incentives do not align closely with the legislative intent of the bill. Voters should be aware that while lobbying exists, it does not indicate a direct financial conflict for the sponsor based on current data.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TENCENT AMERICA, LLC | BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP | $200,000 |
| ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED | BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP | $80,000 |
| B&H FOTO & ELECTRONICS CORP | STONINGTON GLOBAL | $75,000 |
| CTIA-THE WIRELESS ASSOCIATION | MINTZ LEVIN COHN FERRIS GLOVSKY AND POPEO, P.C. | $60,000 |
| NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE, LLC | NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE, LLC | $10,000 |
| SULLIVAN STRATEGIES OBO ODOT | COLUMBIA STRATEGIC COUNSEL | $10,000 |
| ACT FOR AMERICA | ACT FOR AMERICA | $10,000 |
| ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED | MERCURY PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC | undisclosed |
| TENCENT AMERICA LLC | MERCURY PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC | undisclosed |
| XTAR LLC | THE MADISON GROUP | undisclosed |
| ALLERGY & ASTHMA NETWORK | ALLERGY & ASTHMA NETWORK | undisclosed |
| ARDMORE CONSULTING GROUP, INC | BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS LLP | undisclosed |
| T-MOBILE USA, INC. | ALPINE ADVISORS | undisclosed |
| AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. | ALPINE GROUP PARTNERS, LLC. | undisclosed |
| PLAYPOWER, INC. | MILLER STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Eli Crane, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
