Schakowsky Opening Remarks at Consumer Protection and Commerce Hearing on the American Data Privacy and Protection Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks at the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee hearing entitled "Protecting America's Consumers: Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Data Privacy and Security." The Chair's opening remarks, as prepared, are below:

Today we meet to consider groundbreaking comprehensive federal privacy legislation.

With the bipartisan draft of the "American Data Privacy and Protection Act", we have reached a pivotal moment in our landmark effort to enshrine fundamental digital privacy rights for all Americans into federal law.

We live in an increasingly online world, and it is time to pass privacy reform that keeps pace with the speed of technological innovation.

I'd like to acknowledge, with immense gratitude, the tireless work of Members on both sides of the aisle—within this Subcommittee and across Congress.

This cohesive effort proves, once again, that privacy is *not* a partisan issue.

In particular, I would like to thank Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers for their partnership and Ranking Member Bilirakis for his continued collaboration.

The road has been long—and our journey sometimes grueling—but our work has been fruitful because of our purposeful and inclusive process.

Over the last year, we held six roundtables that brought in the expertise of stakeholders from every corner of government, civil society, and industry.

The draft we discuss today reflects the ingenuity and wisdom of dedicated public servants, passionate advocates, and tech experts alike.

The "American Data Privacy and Protection Act" will provide relief for consumers who feel helpless online.

No longer will consumers be forced to accept take-it-or-leave-it terms in exchange for their privacy.

No longer will companies be able to collect endless amounts of data without consumers' consent.

And this bill would hold bad actors accountable when they infringe upon consumers' rights.

It will provide regulatory certainty for the business community while taking care to promote innovation and protect small businesses.

It will extend critical protections to teens under 17 and bans targeted advertising to this group.

These are the kinds of ads that have contributed to the mental health crisis plaguing our young people.

Finally, it will protect Americans from discriminatory algorithms.

There is much work before us, and the path forward is clear.

I look forward to today's hearing to build on our momentum, years in the making, to pass transformational privacy protections for all Americans.

It's time to return control of their data back to the American people.

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