H.R. 9530 is a bill that aims to require the Secretary of Transportation to create regulations that would ban certain voice communications made via cell phones on commercial aircraft during scheduled passenger flights, whether they are traveling within a state or between states.
Supporters of H.R. 9530 argue that the bill will enhance passenger comfort and reduce disturbances during flights. Many travelers appreciate a quiet flying environment and believe that prohibiting cell phone voice calls will lead to a more pleasant travel experience.
Critics of H.R. 9530 contend that the bill may infringe on personal freedoms and the growing trend of connectivity in modern travel. Some argue that with appropriate regulations, limited voice communications could be allowed without significantly disrupting the cabin environment.
The analysis of H.R. 9530, which seeks to prohibit certain cell phone voice communications on aircraft, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor Hillary Scholten's top donor industries. The lobbying activity in the relevant policy area includes contributions from various organizations, such as the Defense Credit Union Council ($190,000) and eHealth, Inc. ($100,000), but these do not directly relate to the regulation of cell phone communications on aircraft. Given the lack of direct financial ties between the sponsors' donors and the bill's subject, the risk of conflicts of interest appears minimal. Voters should be aware that while lobbying exists in the broader transportation sector, it does not specifically target the issues addressed by this bill.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION | AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION | $312,662 |
| DEFENSE CREDIT UNION COUNCIL | DEFENSE CREDIT UNION COUNCIL | $190,000 |
| EHEALTH, INC. | EHEALTH, INC. | $100,000 |
| ID.ME, LLC | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $60,000 |
| CARE ACTION NOW, INC. | CARE ACTION NOW, INC. | $53,000 |
| PHLOW CORPORATION | WESTMORELAND160, LLC | $50,000 |
| DS ADMIRAL BIDCO | ZERO ONE STRATEGIES | $50,000 |
| POLARIS INC. | HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP | $50,000 |
| NEW WORLD STRATEGIES INC | BOB GOOD LLC | $10,000 |
| AANEM AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NEUROMUSCULAR AND ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC MEDICINE | AANEM AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NEUROMUSCULAR AND ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC MEDICINE | undisclosed |
| TOWN OF PROSPERITY, SC | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| CITY OF FOREST ACRES | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| COLLETON COUNTY | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| NEWBERRY COUNTY | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| CITY OF EASLEY | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Hillary Scholten, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
