Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Supports Blumenthal's Kids Online Safety Legislation During Commerce Committee Hearing

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – During today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing, U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo expressed support for the Kids Online Safety Act when questioned by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Blumenthal is leading the bipartisan legislation to enhance children’s safety online with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

“[W]e have bipartisan support for a measure that would give parents the tools and means they need to protect their children from the toxic content driven by black box algorithms to them,” Blumenthal said about the Kids Online Safety Act. “Will you support it?”

“Yes, one hundred percent,” answered Raimondo. “I would like to answer this first as a mother of two teenagers. I think this is long overdue legislation. The goals of your legislation are laudable and as a Commerce Secretary, I feel equally strongly about it. It’s long overdue. We see the corrosive effects, so yes I’ll help you in any way. Also in President Biden’s unity agenda is very focused on mental health and increasing mental health services, particularly to young people. Much of the reason we have that need is because we have not done a good enough job regulating the content online, particularly as it relates to our kids. So I applaud you for the initiative.”

The full transcript of Blumenthal and Raimondo’s exchange about the Kids Online Safety Act at today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing is copied below:

Blumenthal: Let me ask you about another proposal related to Big Tech. Senator Klobuchar raised the Online Competition Protection Act that she has introduced and I’m a cosponsor of it, but the Kids Online Safety Act really is the result of five hearings. The Subcommittee on Consumer Protection which I chair held those hearings and we have bipartisan support for a measure that would give parents the tools and means they need to protect their children from the toxic content driven by black box algorithms to them. I can give you more about the Kids Online Safety Act, I believe you’re familiar with it. Will you support it?

Raimondo: Yes, one hundred percent. I would like to answer this first as a mother of two teenagers. I think this is long overdue legislation. The goals of your legislation are laudable and as a Commerce Secretary, I feel equally strongly about it. It’s long overdue. We see the corrosive effects, so yes I’ll help you in any way. Also in President Biden’s unity agenda is very focused on mental health and increasing mental health services, particularly to young people. Much of the reason we have that need is because we have not done a good enough job regulating the content online, particularly as it relates to our kids. So I applaud you for the initiative.

-30-