US Senate
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Telehealth Access
Sens Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the bipartisan Expanded Telehealth Access Act. During COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded access to telehealth services to a range of health care providers, and this legislation would permanently expand that eligibility.
Sen Blumenthal Urges Snap to Release Internal Data on the Company's Effect on Children and Teens
Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote a letter to Snap CEO Evan Spiegel urging him to release internal data pertaining to the company's effect on children and teens. Blumenthal requested the following by November 24, 2021:
Senator Braun introduces Rural Broadband Network Advancement Act
Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced a bill designed to learn more about how rural broadband can be improved. Rural broadband providers have to make significant investments in order to carry data-intensive content delivered by “edge providers” such as Netflix, Facebook, and YouTube. The Rural Broadband Network Advancement Act would require the Federal Communications Commission to study the impact that intensive “edge provider data” has on the service costs of rural broadband providers.
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Competition and Consumer Choice Online
Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced bipartisan legislation to make it more difficult for dominant online platforms to make acquisitions that harm competition and eliminate consumer choice. The Platform Competition and Opportunity Act will halt further harmful consolidation by:
Senators Introduce Legislation to Bypass Authoritarian Internet Crackdowns
Sens Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) introduced the Protecting Against Tyrants by Restoring Internet Access and Yielding Vital Interconnectivity in Designated Areas (PATRIA Y VIDA) Act to build a strategy to protect internet freedom worldwide and strengthen support for technologies that allow users to evade foreign government-backed censorship and restrictions.
Sen Cortez Masto Introduces Bill to Protect Americans' Data Privacy
Sen Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Digital Accountability and Transparency to Advance (DATA) Privacy Act to strengthen data privacy protections for American consumers. The legislation would:
Sens Blumenthal and Blackburn Announce Probe Into Facebook Coverup of its Platforms' Negative Impact on Teens and Children
Sens Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, announced that their subcommittee would take additional steps to look into Facebook’s knowledge of its platforms’ negative impact on teenagers and young users. “It is clear that Facebook is incapable of holding itself accountable," the senators stated.
Sen Luján Introduces Legislation to Hold Tech Platforms Accountable for Algorithmic Promotion of Extremist Content
Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Protecting Americans from Dangerous Algorithms Act (S.3029) to hold large social media companies accountable for using computer algorithms that promote harmful and dangerous content that leads to offline violence. Reps Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) and Anna G Eshoo (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the US House of Representatives.
Senators Introduce Legislation to Establish a National 6G Strategy to Improve Broadband Access
Sens Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and John Thune (R-SD) introduced a bipartisan bill to establish a national strategy based on an expert council to implement future telecommunications networks, including sixth generation (6G). The Next Generation Telecommunications Act (S.3014) would establish a group to advise Congress on the next generation of telecommunications services, including 6G and other wireless communications.