10 Apr 2024 BPC Action Applauds Momentum on Bipartisan Data Privacy Legislation in Technology

At a time when nearly every American is online— to make a purchase, access health information, grow their business, or socialize with friends—it’s essential to protect data and privacy while spurring innovation and job creation. Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action) is encouraged by recent momentum in Congress to address the importance of protecting the privacy of Americans of all ages.

BPC Action applauds Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on the release of their bipartisan draft of the American Privacy Rights Act. The collaborative leadership exhibited by Chair Cantwell and Chair McMorris Rodgers is critical to tackling issues as pressing as data privacy.

However, privacy legislation is not comprehensive unless it includes protection for children. We are glad to see bipartisan, bicameral leadership by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Erin Houchin (R-IN), and Kim Schrier (D-WA) to advance the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) which aligns with the work of BPC’s Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force to find evidence-based, pragmatic policy solutions on issues like safe and secure social media use.

Together, these bipartisan, bicameral bills could address the full spectrum of challenges around data availability, privacy, and other important issues facing Americans while making sure individuals of all ages are safe online. BPC Action stands ready to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to move the needle at this critical juncture. We look forward to further bipartisan action under a regular order process and to ensuring that final legislation reflects the interests of all Americans.