Washington (December 18, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, issued the following statement after his bipartisan, bicameral Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) was not included in the continuing resolution to fund the government to March 14, 2025.

“House Republican leaders are playing politics with the lives of children and teens by blocking this popular, bipartisan privacy legislation. Young people across the country are suffering from suicide, anxiety, depression, and other devastating mental health illnesses. In Congress, a broad, bipartisan coalition moved with the speed that this youth mental health crisis demands, only to be blocked at the finish line by the worst kind of partisanship. While the U.S. Senate met the moment by overwhelmingly passing COPPA 2.0, House Republican leaders abandoned their responsibility and prevented this Congress from enacting life-saving measures for our families.

“To the parents, young people, and advocates who courageously fought for stronger online privacy rights for children and teens, thank you. I have been honored to stand with you and will always keep fighting to pass COPPA 2.0 and help keep our children and families safe and healthy online.”

In September 2024, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed COPPA 2.0 by a voice vote. In July, the U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, which included COPPA 2.0, by a 91-3 vote. In July 2023, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee unanimously passed COPPA 2.0.

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