H.R. 9142 aims to amend U.S. patent law to restrict individuals or entities that are deemed a threat to national security from obtaining and enforcing patents. This legislation seeks to enhance national security by preventing potentially harmful actors from leveraging patent rights for malicious purposes.
Supporters of H.R. 9142 argue that the bill is a necessary step to protect national security interests and ensure that sensitive technologies do not fall into the wrong hands. Media coverage highlights the importance of safeguarding innovation and protecting the U.S. from potential espionage or sabotage.
Critics of H.R. 9142 express concerns that the bill could lead to overreach and the unjust denial of patent rights to individuals or companies without sufficient evidence of a threat to national security. Some media outlets warn that the legislation could stifle innovation and create a chilling effect on inventors who may fear being labeled as security risks.
The analysis of H.R. 9142, sponsored by Scott Fitzgerald, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor's top donor industries. The bill aims to limit patent rights for individuals posing a national security threat, which does not appear to intersect with the interests of Fitzgerald's major donors. While there is significant lobbying activity in the policy area, the contributions from entities like Verdego Aero ($200,000) and Anello Photonics ($30,000) do not indicate a direct conflict, as their business interests are not clearly aligned with the bill's intent. Therefore, the risk of conflicts of interest is assessed as low, as the financial contributions do not suggest a motive to influence the legislation in favor of the donors' interests.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| VERDEGO AERO | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $200,000 |
| SPRAY FOAM COALITION | SPRAY FOAM COALITION | $60,000 |
| SHANDA ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC | SHANDA ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC | $50,000 |
| PELION VENTURE PARTNERS | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $38,000 |
| ANELLO PHOTONICS | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $30,000 |
| GREEN OCEANS | EDNEXUS ADVISORS, LLC | $22,500 |
| 47G | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $15,000 |
| GRAIN CHAIN | THE JACKSON GROUP, LLC | $5,000 |
| JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS | JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS CORPORATION | JOHN BRIAN LEDBETTER MISSIONS CORPORATION | undisclosed |
| LG ELECTRONICS USA, INC. | HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP | undisclosed |
| RIDE GROUP LLC | AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD | undisclosed |
| CRESCENTA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT | CAPITOL CORE GROUP, INC. | undisclosed |
| ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED | SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP | undisclosed |
| SPACECONNECT ASSOCIATION | SALT POINT STRATEGIES | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Scott Fitzgerald, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
