Decoder with Nilay Patel Why Sen. Brian Schatz thinks child safety bills can trump the First Amendment
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Jan 30, 2024 Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, a key advocate for tech and climate policy, dives deep into the intricacies of online child safety legislation. He discusses the Kids Online Safety Act and the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act, exploring how they could significantly change the digital landscape for minors. Schatz highlights the tension between these bills and First Amendment rights, raising questions about content moderation. Additionally, he contrasts the proactive regulation of Europe with the U.S.'s legislative stagnation, emphasizing the urgent need for a balanced approach to tech policy.
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Government Functionality
- The US federal government struggles with functionality despite talented legislators.
- Passing regular appropriations bills and avoiding missed deadlines proves challenging.
Office Structure
- Senator Schatz's office consists of four separate offices: Hawaii, DC personal, T-HUD committee, and Indian Affairs committee.
- He views this structure as inefficient and would prefer a merged, streamlined approach if possible.
Quiet Success
- Senators Durbin and Blunt quietly doubled health research funding over seven years.
- This bipartisan effort, done incrementally, avoided polarization and achieved success.