Exclusive: Senators press House GOP leaders to pass kids online protections


Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Key senators from both parties are ramping up pressure on the House to pass kids online protections before the end of the year, per a letter obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: GOP leadership wants to wait until next year, but there is broad bipartisan support for the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act in the Senate and a sense of urgency from advocates and parents to do it before the end of the year.
- KOSPA, which passed the Senate 91-3 in July, combined the Kids Online Safety Act and COPPA 2.0.
A bipartisan group of senators sent the letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise on Tuesday.
- Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell and Ranking Member Ted Cruz signed the letter, along with Sens. Ed Markey, Bill Cassidy, Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn.
What they're saying: The sponsors of KOSPA urge the House GOP leaders to join the 91 senators "who put the well-being of our children ahead of tech companies" and bring the legislation to the House floor for a vote.