U.S. Wealth WatcherCelebrating Political Fortunes
HR 859 · 119th CongressIntroducedVoted Apr 29, 2025

Label hidden cameras and microphones on smart devices

Energy & Utilities

Sponsored by Russ Fulcher

The vote
415-9
+406 margin
Worked the bill
$486M
24 groups · their total 2025 lobbying
In the distance
$2.3M
election money · background
Summary

What the bill does

This bill requires manufacturers of certain internet-connected devices, such as smart home gadgets, to tell buyers before purchase if the device has a camera or microphone. It excludes items like phones, laptops, and tablets that people already expect to have these features. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce the rule and provide guidance to help companies comply.

Why it matters

The stakes

Consumers buying smart devices like doorbells, speakers, or toys will know upfront if the product can record them. This helps people make informed choices about their privacy at home.

Major public companies this covers
  • AmazonAMZN
  • GoogleGOOGL
  • AppleAAPL
  • SamsungSSNLF
The vote

How the chamber split

415 yea · 9 nayPassed · 7 not voting
415 yes
9 no
Voted yes407
Rep 203Dem 203
Voted no9
Rep 9Dem 0
See how each member voted· all 416
Voted yes · 407
Aaron BeanR · FL
Andy BarrR · KY
Andy BiggsR · AZ
Ann WagnerR · MO
Ben ClineR · VA
Brad KnottR · NC
Brian JackR · GA
Cory MillsR · FL
Don BaconR · NE
Gabe EvansR · CO
Jeff CrankR · CO
Jeff HurdR · CO
Jim JordanR · OH
Joe WilsonR · SC
John JoyceR · PA
Kevin HernR · OK
Mike BostR · IL
Mike CareyR · OH
Mike EzellR · MS
Mike FloodR · NE
Mike KellyR · PA
Nancy MaceR · SC
Pat FallonR · TX
Randy FineR · FL
Ron EstesR · KS
Sam GravesR · MO
Tim MooreR · NC
Tom ColeR · OK
Tom EmmerR · MN
Tony WiedR · WI
Vince FongR · CA
Young KimR · CA
Adam GrayD · CA
Adam SmithD · WA
Al GreenD · TX
Ami BeraD · CA
Dave MinD · CA
Derek TranD · CA
Dina TitusD · NV
Ed CaseD · HI
Gabe AmoD · RI
Glenn IveyD · MD
Grace MengD · NY
Greg CasarD · TX
Gwen MooreD · WI
Ilhan OmarD · MN
Jason CrowD · CO
Jim CostaD · CA
Joe NeguseD · CO
Josh RileyD · NY
Judy ChuD · CA
Mark PocanD · WI
Mike LevinD · CA
Nellie PouD · NJ
Paul TonkoD · NY
Raul RuizD · CA
Ro KhannaD · CA
Susie LeeD · NV
Ted LieuD · CA
Voted no · 9
Chip RoyR · TX
Keith SelfR · TX
The debate

What each side says

Supporters
  • Consumers have a right to know if a product they bring into their home can record them, so they can decide whether to buy it.bill
  • The bill gives the FTC clear authority to punish companies that hide cameras or microphones, which will encourage honesty.bill
  • It excludes devices like phones and laptops that people already expect to have cameras, so the rule focuses on unexpected recording features.bill
Critics
  • The bill adds extra paperwork and costs for manufacturers, which could raise prices for consumers.report
  • The definition of covered devices may be confusing, and some products might accidentally be left out or included.report

Each point links to its source. The views are attributed to those sources, not stated as ours.

Follow the money

From this bill outward

The bill

where every tie is measured from
HR 859Label hidden cameras and microphones on smart devicesEnergy & Utilities

Who paid lobbyists to work it

Direct tie24 groups · their total 2025 lobbying
GroupIssues2025 lobbying
(all issues)
Has PAC?
APPLE, INC.Named in billLaborForeignTech$10MNo PAC
STATE OF LOC NATION GLOBAL PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONAdvocacyOtherBanking$80MNo PAC
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE U.S.A.EnergyBankingForeign$70MNo PAC
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSReal EstateBankingInsurance$54MNAORPAC
BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE INCEnergyBankingHealth$34MNo PAC
META PLATFORMS, INC. AND VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIESTechSports & MediaBanking$26MNo PAC
GENERAL MOTORS COMPANYTransportBankingForeign$20MGMC
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCILBankingEnergyTransport$19MACCP

Election money, in the distance

Background · not tied to this billEnergy & Utilities PACs -> the members who voted
▲ Voted yes415
203 Dem203 Rep
Energy & Utilities PAC receipts$2.3M
  • NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION AMERICA'S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES PAC$168K
  • VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$160K
  • MARATHON PETROLEUM CORPORATION EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (MPAC)$153K
  • NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$143K
  • KOCH, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (KOCHPAC)$142K
  • CHEVRON EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - CHEVRON CORPORATION$140K
  • CONSTELLATION ENERGY CORPORATION EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (CEPAC)$137K
  • PHILLIPS 66 PAC$131K
  • EDISON INTERNATIONAL PAC$99K
  • GROWTH ENERGY PAC$85K
  • EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (EXXONMOBIL PAC)$82K
  • DOMINION ENERGY, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - DOMINION PAC$70K
  • THE AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT$70K
  • NEXTERA ENERGY, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$62K
  • CMS ENERGY CORPORATION EMPLOYEES FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT- FEDERAL$60K
  • NATIONAL PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION PAC$60K
  • DTE ENERGY COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$50K
  • CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. PAC$40K
  • NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$40K
  • CONOCOPHILLIPS SPIRIT PAC$40K
  • PG&E CORPORATION EMPLOYEES ENERGYPAC$40K
  • BAYER US LLC EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAYERPAC)$31K
  • SIEMENS ENERGY, INC. PAC$30K
  • NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$30K
  • EASTMANPAC-POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY$30K
  • LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY PAC$30K
  • BASF CORPORATION EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$28K
  • SOUTHERN COMPANY GAS EMPLOYEES PAC$25K
  • SEMPRA ENERGY EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE- FEDERAL$19K
  • WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC PAC$13K
  • PEABODY ENERGY CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PEABODY PAC)$11K
  • SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COALITION PAC (SEEC PAC)$10K
  • BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION PAC (BE PAC)$10K
  • POWERPAC OF THE EDISON ELECTRIC INSTITUTE$10K
  • DIAMONDBACK ENERGY, INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DIAMONDBACK ENERGY PAC)$10K
  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTORS RESPONSIBLE DISTRIBUTION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$10K
  • SOLAR FOR AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINACE PAC$10K
  • ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION PAC$10K
  • ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI ACTION COMMITTEE FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION$8K
  • INDIANA ACRE/INDIANA STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION OF RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES DBA INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES FEDERAL PAC$7K
  • SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION PAC (SOLARPAC)$6K
  • ALLIANT ENERGY CORPORATION EMPLOYEE'S POLITICAL ACTION COMM$5K
  • NEW ENERGY IN WASHINGTON HOUSE PAC (N.E.W. HOUSE PAC)$5K
  • AMERICAN FUELS AND PETROCHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AFPMPAC)$5K
  • XCEL ENERGY EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (XPAC)$5K
  • DEVON ENERGY CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (DEC PAC)$5K
  • OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$5K
  • NV ENERGY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE$4K
Members covered150 / 415
Avg per covered$16K
▼ Voted no9
0 Dem9 Rep
Energy & Utilities PAC receipts$4K
  • CHENIERE ENERGY, INC. PAC$3K
  • LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY PAC$1K
Members covered1 / 9
Avg per covered$4K

Lobbying filings, contributions, and votes are public records shown side by side. The further down the chain, the further the money is from this bill. This page does not assert that money caused any vote.