I have found the issue that can bring America together. The federal government must not allow cell mobile phone use on planes.
If the Federal Communications Commission allows airlines to allow cellphone use on flights, even Washington agrees there will be revolts.
On Tuesday by a bipartisan voice vote, the House of Representatives' transportation committee passed a bill, the Prohibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act of 2013, to the House floor.
Chairman Bill Shuster, a Republican from Pennsylvania and the bill's author, argues that at 30,000 feet, fellow passengers can't walk away from loudmouths. Ergo, the Department of Transportation must ban voice calls on planes. Schuster does favor regulations to allow passengers to text, send emails or work online.
Since 1991, the FCC has banned cellphone use on planes lest the signals interfere with wireless networks on the ground. With technology that can prevent interference, the FCC revisited the rule. In October, it ruled that passengers may leave on their phones (in airplane mode) and personal electronic devices during take off and landing, because its mission is to regulate technology.
Truly we live in a golden age. Americans' idea of hardship is flying safely over the entire country in six hours, but someone else being able to make a phone call. For this, Congress will act.
Saunders is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: dsaunders@9sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DebraJSaunders