Child Safety

KIDS Act Passes Energy and Commerce along Partisan Lines, COPPA 2.0 Postponed

Additional bills on kids online safety and cybersecurity passed with bipartisan support

Eric Urbach

Mar 5, 2026 — 3 min read

Photo of Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee, by Allison Robbert/AP

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2026 – As parents filled the Energy and Commerce Committee chamber holding images of their deceased children, there was broad recognition from all members present that congress needed to step up and regulate big tech.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, or KIDS Act, during a markup hearing on Thursday on a partisan basis.

Despite discussions that lasted through last Friday, bipartisan support fell apart over two key previsions: state law preemptions and a duty of care standard that would set legal safety standards for companies to follow, currently in place for toy or other game manufacturers.

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Child Safety KIDS Act COPPA 2.0 Committee on Energy and Commerce Brett Guthrie Jake Auchincloss Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Erin Houchin Federal Trade Commission Chairman Frank Pallone Ed Markey