CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, last week voted during a committee markup to advance several of her legislative priorities: the Kids Online Safety Act and the AM for Every Vehicle Act. Both pieces of legislation were approved and can now be considered and voted on by the full Senate.
The Kids Online Safety Act:
Senator Capito helped introduce the Kids Online Safety Act, which provides young people and parents with the tools, safeguards, and transparency they need to protect against online harms. The bill requires social media platforms to put the well-being of children first, ensuring an environment that is safe by default. The legislation also requires independent audits by experts and academic researchers to ensure that social media platforms are taking meaningful steps to address risks to kids. This legislation was led by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Learn more here.
“Our children are the future, which is why it’s important that we do all we can to protect them from online threats that pose a great risk to their development. Online platforms must be responsible for the content provided to our youth and tools must be in place to prevent harm. I’m glad to see the Commerce Committee advance legislation that shields our most vulnerable population from patterned online risks, and encourage my Senate colleagues to support this effort,” Senator Capito said.
The AM for Every Vehicle Act:
The AM for Every Vehicle Act, which Senator Capito co-sponsored, aims to direct federal regulators to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge. This legislation was led by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
“In West Virginia, we rely on AM radio for many things from road and weather updates, to high school football games and local broadcasts. It’s important that it is maintained in new vehicles without additional costs burdening consumers. I’m proud to join this effort and look forward to this legislation being considered by the full Senate,” Senator Capito said.
