Senator Blumenthal Week In Review 02/10/2023—02/17/2023
PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Congress to take action to protect kids online. During a hearing in the Judiciary Committee, Blumenthal highlighted Big Tech’s harms and the need for the Kids Online Safety Act, comprehensive bipartisan legislation he authored with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) which requires social media companies to give kids and parents tools to prevent the destructive impacts of social media.
“Big Tech has relentlessly, ruthlessly pumped up profits by purposefully exploiting kids’ and parents’ pain,” said Blumenthal in his opening remarks to the Committee and witnesses. “What I feel is outrage. Outrage at inaction—Congress’ inexcusable failure to pass the…Kids Online Safety Act. Outrage at Big Tech pillaging the public interest with its armies of lobbyists and lawyers, despite their pledges of collaboration. Outrage that you and other victims must relive the pain and grief that break our hearts and should finally be a moral imperative to action.”
Blumenthal’s comments came after this week’s release of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showing that in 2021, nearly three in five teenage girls felt persistent sadness and nearly one in three girls seriously considered attempting suicide. Citing these worrying findings, Blumenthal called the situation a “mental health crisis” and “public health emergency” that has been, “aggravated by toxic content on eating disorders, bullying, even suicide, driven by Big Tech’s black box algorithms, leading children down dark rabbit holes.”
“This mental health crisis will persist — take more young lives—unless Congress cares more about the Kids Online Safety Act than it does about Big Tech,” Blumenthal continued. “It is urgent that we move forward.”
During his questions to witnesses, Blumenthal asked Kristin Bride, a social media reform advocate whose son Carson took his own life after being cyberbullied, about what Congress’ failure to pass the Kids Online Safety Act in the last Congress meant to her personally.
“It was extremely disappointing,” said Bride. “It is so difficult to tell our stories of the very worst day of our lives over and over and over again and then not see change. We’re done with the hearings, we’re done with the stories – we’re looking to you all for action. And I am confident that you can all come together and do this for us, and for America’s children.”
Blumenthal told Emma Lembke, a youth activist and founder of the Log Off Movement, that, “you are part of a generation that has a right to expect more from us.” After discussing her personal experience, Lembke agreed with Blumenthal about the need for urgent action.
“I got Instagram at the age of 12 and I sit in front of you all today as a 20 year old. About eight years down the line, I still see and hear of the harms that I experienced eight years ago,” said Lembke. “The mental health crisis for young people that we are witnessing will only continue to rise. So we cannot wait another year. We cannot wait another month or another week or another day to begin to protect the next generation from the harms that we have witnessed and heard about today.”
In addition to the Kids Online Safety Act, Blumenthal emphasized the importance of passing legislation like the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act (EARN IT Act) to encourage the tech industry to take online child sexual exploitation seriously. The bill, authored by Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, would remove blanket immunity for violations of laws related to online child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“The EARN IT Act and the Kids Online Safety Act are the least we can do to help begin protecting against Big Tech,” said Blumenthal.
— Blumenthal also visited The Village for Families & Children in Hartford to discuss the need for bipartisan legislation to protect kids’ privacy and safety online.
“The Village in Hartford is doing so much for kids’ safety & health. I joined clinicians & child advocates today to urge swift passage of the Kids Online Safety Act–saving children from the toxic online content that threatens their lives & wellbeing.”
“Social media platforms are knowingly using their black box algorithms to drive kids down dark rabbit holes. Doing so helps their bottom line—more eyes equals more dollars.”
“We can no longer rely on social media companies to police themselves. Marsha Blackburn & my Kids Online Safety Act is necessary to give parents & young people control of the content they are consuming, ensure Big Tech accountability, & encourage greater transparency.”
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in introducing legislation to strengthen online privacy protections for children when websites collect their personally identifiable information. The Clean Slate for Kids Online Act would give every American an enforceable legal right to demand that internet companies delete all personal information that was collected from or about the person when he or she was a child under age 13.
“Children’s personal data shouldn’t be used to pad Big Tech’s profits. Allowing the industry to collect and monitor kids’ sensitive information is a threat to not only their privacy, but their ability to safely learn and play during their online experience,” said Blumenthal. “Our legislation allows users to take back control of private data that was collected from them as kids – an important step to protect consumers and hold Big Tech accountable for its practices.”
STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS FOR AIRLINE PASSENGERS
— In light of recent airline meltdowns and worsening flier experiences, Blumenthal authored an op-ed in Connecticut’s The Day newspaper about the need for strengthened passenger protections, including his Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights.
“Unexpected cancellations, hours-long delays, exorbitant fees, and cramped seats. These frustrations and many others are all too frequent unfortunate realities of flying. Air travel has never been more uncomfortable, more unpredictable, or more stressful. Passengers impacted by the winter storms sweeping across the country — and those affected by Southwest Airlines’ meltdown just a few weeks ago— know it all too well. That’s why I reintroduced legislation — the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights — to ensure consumers have the protections they deserve and to incentivize airlines to do the right thing.”
— Amid sky-high fees and low-quality service from airlines, Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in introducing the Families Fly Together Act, legislation to prohibit airlines from imposing any monetary charges on families that want to sit together during a flight.
“The last thing parents should worry about when flying is a surcharge to sit with their kids,” said Blumenthal. “By charging families these unnecessary, exorbitant fees, the airline industry is failing its customers. Our common sense legislation will stop airlines from nickel-and-diming parents and children – providing them with the basic protections they deserve.”
ADDRESSING AMERICA’S GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC
— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) joined 47 senators in reintroducing the Background Check Expansion Act to expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Although more than 90 percent of Americans support comprehensive background checks, under current federal law, unlicensed or private sellers are not required to conduct a background check prior to transferring a firearm. Research indicates that as many as a quarter of all gun sales in the United States may occur without a background check.
“The Background Check Expansion Act is a common sense, lifesaving measure that will spare countless communities from the terror, tragedy, and trauma of gun violence,” said Blumenthal. “Congressional action is long overdue. I’ll keep fighting until it happens.”
— Blumenthal applauded an announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice of $231 million in federal funding to support the implementation of state red flag laws and crisis intervention court proceedings to address and reduce gun violence. The funding awarded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 will bring $2.5 million to Connecticut under a provision Blumenthal fought for to expand states’ access to support and resources for red flag laws.
“This $2.5 million to support our state’s red flag law is a major investment in keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people – as I have long advocated in championing these protections nationally. Red flag laws are imperative to preventing the scourge of gun violence that continues to ravage through our communities. This federal funding will be a critical driver to ensure states across the country, including Connecticut, have the necessary tools to keep firearms out of the hands of those who pose a serious threat to themselves or to others,” Blumenthal said. “Connecticut has shown the way on common-sense gun violence prevention measures, and we know that red flag laws can save lives. Thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we are able to support the implementation of these laws and encourage other states to follow suit.”
EXPANDING SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
— Blumenthal applauded the U.S. Department of Education announcement of more than $188 million from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to increase access to school-based mental health services and strengthen the pipeline of providers. Connecticut’s EdAdvance will receive more than $1.5 million in federal funding.
“The mental health professionals hired with this $1.5 million will no doubt make an enormous difference in the lives of thousands of children in our state. We know that kids are suffering higher rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic and that providers are simply overwhelmed with demand. I am proud to see this important investment in our kids’ safety and wellbeing at a time when it is so needed,” said Blumenthal.
CHAIRING THE JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEE ON PRIVACY & TECHNOLOGY
— Blumenthal announced that he will become the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law. Blumenthal will also serve as the Chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. He is a new member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee this Congress and will continue to serve as a member of the Senate Judiciary; Armed Services; Veterans; and Aging Committees.
“Big Tech has well earned strong scrutiny and safeguards to ensure privacy, innovation, and national security. As tech giants continue to egregiously exploit personal data and put profits over safety, consumers need oversight and accountability. Real reforms of Big Tech’s vast power, privileges, and necessary legal obligations demand serious consideration and focused action, such as reform to Section 230. I am honored to begin spearheading the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law with a robust agenda to serve the American people.”
The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law has jurisdiction over legal issues pertaining to technology and social media platforms, including online privacy and civil rights as well as the impacts of new or emerging technologies.
ADDRESSING TIKTOK’S RISKS TO NATIONAL SECURITY & CONSUMER PRIVACY
— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) raised deep concerns over the risks TikTok poses to U.S. national security and consumer privacy, and called for structural restrictions on TikTok’s American operations. Blumenthal and Moran’s letter to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) comes after ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, disclosed that its employees used data on U.S. TikTok users to surveil American journalists.
“We write with profound concern regarding the risks that TikTok poses to our national security and to consumer privacy, and to urge the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to swiftly conclude its investigation and impose strict structural restrictions between TikTok’s American operations and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, including potentially separating the companies,” wrote Blumenthal and Moran in a letter to Treasury Secretary and CFIUS Chair Janet Yellen.
The lawmakers referenced myriad concerning practices stemming from ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok, including misuse of Americans’ private data, control over algorithmic systems, and censorship of topics deemed critical of the Chinese government and other authoritarian regimes.
“ByteDance’s engineers continue to have dangerous access to Americans’ personal data and control over its algorithmic recommendation systems, access that continues enable this spying on journalists. TikTok has failed to implement adequate protections in the four years since it acquired the app, despite continued assurances to the contrary,” wrote the senators.
“[T]he risks associated with TikTok are not limited to sensitive account data and information collected through advertising trackers, but include the app’s access to hours of personal videos and discussions of tens of millions of Americans, and its control over the platform’s powerful algorithmic recommendation system,” continued the lawmakers. “As TikTok plays an increasingly important role in American civic and political life, we should be concerned whether Chinese entities can promote or hide particular topics, especially in the service of the Chinese government’s political interests.”
“At a minimum, CFIUS should ensure that executive decision making about the platform is based in the United States and fully free from coercive influence from Beijing. It must also ensure that decisions about, and access to, all personal data, algorithms, and content moderation relating to American users is out of the reach or influence of the Chinese government,” concluded Blumenthal and Moran. “We cannot rely on paper promises and unenforced half measures from a company that has abused our trust when our national security is at stake.”
REACTING TO TESLA’S RECALL OF FULL SELF-DRIVING BETA SOFTWARE
— Blumenthal and Markey issued the following joint statement after Tesla recalled more than 360,000 of its vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta software due to crash risk:
“NHTSA rightly pushed Tesla to issue this necessary recall. We have long warned that there are critical flaws with Tesla’s software, including the rolling stops feature, which puts the public at grave risk. While a critical step, this recall is long overdue and was clearly needed, as we explained when we raised alarm about Tesla’s features. We strongly urge NHTSA to swiftly require recalls for safety risks it finds during its ongoing investigations, and Tesla must finally stop overstating the real capabilities of its vehicles.”
Blumenthal and Markey have long pushed for autonomous vehicle (AV) technology safety. In August 2021, Blumenthal and Markey sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), calling for the agency to launch an investigation into Tesla’s advertising of driving automation systems. The full text of the letter can be found here. In February 2022, Blumenthal and Markey sent a letter to Tesla Co-founder and CEO Elon Musk following numerous reports of dangerous braking flaws in Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems and amid several federal safety investigations, voicing serious concerns with the implementation of the company’s technology. The full text of the letter to Musk can be found here. In June 2022, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement applauding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for upgrading its investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis after identifying additional crashes at first responder sites. In October 2022, Blumenthal and Markey issued a joint statement on a reported DOJ investigation into Tesla’s misleading advertising of driving automation systems.
ATTENDING THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE
— Blumenthal a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined a bipartisan congressional delegation led by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) attending the Munich Security Conference (MSC).
“This gathering of global leaders and security experts comes at a pivotal moment as our Ukrainian allies prepare to resist a massive Russian offensive and mount an aggressive counteroffensive this spring,” Blumenthal said. “Our bipartisan Congressional delegation will join a coalition of leaders around the world dedicated to preserving global stability and security. I am eager to discuss the extreme urgency of providing Ukraine with tanks, fighter jets, and other lethal arms necessary to win this war. The global community of democracies stands united in support of Ukraine – but we can and must hasten the speed and resources in showing that support.”
The MSC is widely considered the world’s leading forum for international security policy. The conference is a “marketplace of ideas” where initiatives and solutions are developed and opinions are exchanged. It also provides a venue for diplomatic initiatives and ideas to cooperatively address the world’s most pressing security concerns.
HONORING CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
— Blumenthal led a bipartisan group of 27 lawmakers in introducing legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Judge Constance Baker Motley. In addition to being the first Black woman to serve on the federal bench in the United States and argue before the United States Supreme Court, Judge Motley represented Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., helped author the argument against, “separate but equal” in Brown v. Board of Education, and led litigation that desegregated public accommodations and integrated universities across the south. The bill would honor Judge Motley with Congress’ highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.
“Constance Baker Motley was a civil rights trailblazer and legal hero,” said Blumenthal. “A lifelong advocate for justice and equality, she dedicated her career to ensuring our Constitution’s ideals and protections applied to all Americans. Awarding her the Congressional Gold Medal will honor the impact she had on our nation’s history, the barriers she broke, and the generations she inspired.”
FIGHTING ROADWAY FATALITIES
— Blumenthal announced $450,000 in federal funding for the Town of Westport to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. The funding is awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, a new program established to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
ENDING SUBSIDIES FOR E-CIGARETTE & TOBACCO ADS
— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reintroduced the No Tax Subsidies for E-Cigarette and Tobacco Ads Act, which would crack down on e-cigarette companies and close a tax loophole that allows manufacturers to claim federal tax deductions for the cost of advertising for e-cigarettes and tobacco products.
Television and radio advertising for traditional tobacco products have been banned under federal law, and certain other forms of Big Tobacco advertising are restricted under the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. However, none of these restrictions apply to e-cigarettes. While some television outlets have started pulling e-cigarette ads from the air in response to the ongoing youth vaping crisis, the ads are still being run by other outlets. To ensure parity between e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco, the Shaheen and Blumenthal bill also bars tax deductions for advertising expenses related to tobacco cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco.
“Tax breaks for tobacco and e-cigarette giants allow the industry to profit from its manipulative marketing. Our legislation ends these write-offs to protect kids and other consumers from being lured into lifetimes of addiction. I’m proud to join Senator Shaheen in this effort to stop Big Tobacco from hooking the next generation,” said Blumenthal.
INFORMING STUDENTS OF LOW-FINANCIAL-VALUE POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS
— Blumenthal and Murphy joined U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in sending a letter to the Department of Education to provide input about the Department’s process for compiling a list of low-financial-value postsecondary programs. This list would serve as a warning sign for students, parents, and educators about higher education programs that do not produce a financial return on investment for attendees, especially as college costs and student loan debts are rising.
“As the Department rightfully points out, there are postsecondary programs that saddle students with unaffordable debt and provide low financial returns. While we recognize a postsecondary education also provides many non-financial benefits, we share the Department’s concern about the impact that low-financial-value programs have on students and taxpayers,” the senators wrote.
The senators continued: “We believe it is critical for students, families, and student support professionals like school counselors to have easy access to information indicating which institutions set high tuition rates, enroll students in low-quality programs with little payoff, and capture large amounts of federal student aid while failing to produce student outcomes.”
COMBATTING PFAS CONTAMINATION
— Blumenthal and Murphy joined 34 other senators in a letter to President Biden urging the administration to include funding in the upcoming budget request to more comprehensively address PFAS contamination. Specifically, the letter asks for funding dedicated to close gaps in data and research, support ongoing testing and cleanup efforts, and support regulations to better protect the public and environment from PFAS contamination.
“The prevalence of PFAS combined with the adverse health impacts associated with exposure—including developmental effects, changes in liver, immune and thyroid function and increased risk of some cancers—requires a comprehensive approach. Specifically, we ask that your budget request include dedicated funding to close gaps in data and research to better inform responses and drive innovation. Second, we urge prioritization of regulatory work necessary to enhance protections for public health and the environment. Finally, we encourage robust funding to support ongoing testing and cleanup of existing contamination nationwide,” the senators wrote.
DESIGNATING THE WAGNER GROUP AS A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) in announcing they have reintroduced the Holding Accountable Russian Mercenaries (HARM) Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the Secretary of State to designate the Russian-based Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
The Wagner Group is a para-military organization that employs thousands of mercenaries. It has been widely condemned for its work as a private military for Russian President Vladimir Putin, conducting terrorist operations in Ukraine, Mali, Sudan, and the Central African Republic that resulted in the massacre of civilians since 2014.
The Wagner Group has also murdered and threatened journalists, kidnapped children, deployed nerve agents against civilians, committed acts of torture, and engaged in rape and sex trafficking of women and children. Wagner has also taken weapons deliveries from North Korea, a designated State Sponsor of Terrorism.
“A mercenary murderous squad with nine years of Ukrainian blood on its hands, the Wagner Group should be called what it is: a foreign terrorist organization. Officially designating the Wager Group as a foreign terrorist organization will ramp up sanctions against its members and increase the tools available to hold them accountable,” said Blumenthal.
PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) joined their colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging his administration to take new steps to protect reproductive freedom amid divided control of Congress and increasing efforts to restrict access to abortion.
“Each day, women’s lives are threatened because they are denied access to essential health care,” wrote the senators. “As President of the United States, you have a distinct role and responsibility to defend reproductive rights for all Americans and ensure those values are reflected in domestic and foreign policy. We urge you to continue using the resources of the entire federal government to mount a robust response to this crisis.”
ADDRESSING AIRBORNE NATIONAL SECURITY RISKS
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) and 13 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter calling for full funding of the unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) office, formally known as the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). AARO has access to DoD and Intelligence Community UAP data and is required to provide Congress with briefings and reports on UAPs. FY23 funding falls short of what AARO needs to fulfill its mission and maintain American air supremacy.
“AARO provides the opportunity to integrate and resolve threats and hazards to the U.S., while also offering increased transparency to the American people and reducing the stigma around this issue of high public interest,” wrote the senators. “AARO’s success will depend on robust funding for its activities and cooperation between the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. As such, we respectfully request your assistance in securing the necessary funding and organizational support for AARO’s success and longevity.”
RECOGNIZING RUSSIA’S ATROCITIES IN UKRAINE
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and 13 of their colleagues in reintroducing a resolution recognizing Russian actions in Ukraine, which include forced deportations to Russia and the purposeful killing of Ukrainian civilians in mass atrocities, as constituting a genocide against the people of Ukraine.
SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and 11 of their colleagues in introducing legislation to reauthorize the Debbie Smith Act, which would provide state and local law enforcement agencies with resources to complete forensic analyses of crime scenes and untested rape kits. The Debbie Smith Act was originally signed into law in 2004 to provide local and state crime laboratories resources to end the backlog of untested DNA evidence from unsolved crimes, analyze DNA samples, and increase the capacity to process DNA in order to guard against future backlogs. Since it became law, more than 860,000 DNA cases have been processed.
AROUND CONNECTICUT
— Blumenthal attended the annual IRIS Run for Refugees in New Haven.
“A chilly Sunday morning in New Haven—no better time to support IRIS CT in its life-saving work for refugees. Proud to be at the annual Run with a warm, wonderful turnout.”
— Blumenthal announced $980,000 in federal funding for the Wheeler Clinic, Inc.’s new community health center and administration headquarters. Once completed, this facility will combine two existing community health centers to provide integrated primary and behavioral health care in one location in the city. Wheeler Health serves more than 50,000 people each year, in 90 percent of Connecticut’s cities and towns. Bristol will serve as their new flagship location.
“Wheeler Clinic’s new community health center is about treatment, hope, & a brighter future. This nearly $1M federal investment will pay dividends for years to come—helping people throughout the Bristol region get the care they need & deserve.”
— Blumenthal attended the opening of the new Venture Smith exhibit in New Haven.
“Proud to join Rosa DeLauro in opening the Venture Smith exhibit in New Haven, the powerful story of this early American slave who bought his freedom in CT 258 years ago. We’re reintroducing our Resolution commemorating his courage & resilience.”
— Blumenthal attended celebrations recognizing the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
“India’s independence & constitutional democracy celebrated last night w/wonderful food, song & dance in Hartford at CT’s Capitol. I was proud to join in marking this historic 75th anniversary of freedom, rights & the rule of law among so many friends in the Indian-American community.”
— Blumenthal visited the Diyanet Mosque of New Haven which is organizing relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake in Türkiye. With many people displaced from their homes in Türkiye and Syria, the need for supplies and aid is urgent.
“At Diyanet Mosque of New Haven people are rallying together in an outpouring of support for the victims of the earthquake in Türkiye & Syria. Bringing food, clothing, & other supplies to this wonderful place of faith & dedication.”
“What has occurred in Türkiye & Syria is a catastrophe of epic proportions. I will work & fight for any & all assistance—in medical supplies, food, shelter, clothing, & more—that are needed now in this moment of devastating disaster.”
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