US Senate
Lawmakers Introduce Bicameral Bill to Protect Consumers From Online Free Trial Scams
Sen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced the Consumer Online Payment Transparency and Integrity Act (S.3298), or Consumer OPT-IN Act, to protect consumers from online free trial scams and deceptive marketing tactics. To do this, the Consumer OPT-In Act will:
Sens Wicker and Thune introduce the NTIA Reauthorization and Reform Act
Sens Roger Wicker (R-MS) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Reauthorization and Reform Act (S.3288). The NTIA Reauthorization and Reform Act would:
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect and Expand Rural Broadband Access
Co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Broadband Caucus Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sen John Thune (R-SD) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the funding mechanisms for the Universal Service Fund (USF), which promotes universal access to broadband and other telecommunications services. The USF -- which includes programs to support broadband access in rural communities, facilitate rural health care, and expand access to affordable broadband service for low-income families, schools, and libraries -- is largely funded by fees imposed on landlines.
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: