Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 9/5/2025-9/12/2025

Fighting for Kids' Online Safety Protections

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) a co-author of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), delivered an opening statement at a hearing Blackburn convened in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law featuring testimony from two whistleblowers who came forward to share their experiences as researchers at Meta who observed the company suppressing child safety research. The two witnesses at the hearing are among six whistleblowers who disclosed how Meta has repeatedly blocked and even deleted or doctored internal safety research that shows children being exposed to child grooming, sexual harassment and violence on its platforms.

During his opening statement, Blumenthal spoke about two previous whistleblowers who had testified before Congress about Meta, Frances Haugen and Arturo Béjar. After their testimony, Blumenthal said, "we worked on a solution to this problem, the Kids Online Safety Act. Meta promised it would work on a solution, but it did the opposite. It worked to suppress research and tools to give parents better ways to protect their children. It purposely, in effect obstructed, and blocked critical fact-finding, that you both sought to do."

Blumenthal continued, "According to documents provided to our offices, Meta straight jacketed its staff under a social issues protocol that restricts research on key types of harm, including suicide, eating disorders, bullying, and child-trafficking by designating them "sensitive." Yeah, they were sensitive, because they would have undermined business and the reputation of the company. What that meant in practice is Meta installed monitors from their legal department who routinely altered, blocked, and shut down work on teen safety."

A video of Blumenthal's opening statement can be found here.

On Twitter/X, Blumenthal further highlighted Meta's lack of concern for kids' online safety.

"Meta has stifled & suppressed research & truth telling about the harms they are knowingly inflicting on kids. Brave, courageous whistleblowers came before Congress today to talk about the company's exploitation of children & the need for the Kids Online Safety Act," wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.

Ahead of the hearing, Blumenthal joined Blackburn and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ashley Moody (R-FL) at a press conference with Brian Montgomery and Maurine Molak, who spoke about the tragic loss of their children following exposure to harm on social media platforms.

"Let's be blunt-Metaverse is a cesspool with pedophiles, exploiters, groomers, traffickers, and Meta knows it. They know it, and they have stifled and suppressed the research and truth telling that would provide Congress with all of the facts that are needed to support the Kids Online Safety Act and other measures that would protect children," said Blumenthal at the press conference. "It's a business model, and it exploits children mercilessly. Meta has suppressed parental control tools that would enable parents to do a better job of protecting their children, because their business model is more kids' eyeballs for longer periods of time on toxic content, bullying, eating disorders, self-harm-means more money."

Exposing the Trump Administration's Corruption of Science

Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), released a report analyzing the ways in which the Trump Administration has interfered with science since January 20, 2025. PSI's analysis identified at least 57 instances of baseless firings, cuts to research, or blatantly unscientific decisions that favor industry over public health. These actions included ousting thousands of experienced researchers and public health workers from their jobs, installing vaccine opponents to dictate immunization policy, and indefinitely delaying critical studies into potential life-saving interventions.

"In just eight months, the Trump Administration has corrupted science and attacked public health. Our analysis found 57 instances of this interference, which I fear may just be the tip of the iceberg," said Blumenthal. "From silencing scientists to halting research to undermining access to vaccines, our PSI report lays bare all of the ways in which this Administration has put the health and safety of all Americans at risk. If we continue on the trajectory put in motion by Secretary Kennedy and other Administration officials, we will not just roll back the clock on scientific advancements-we will needlessly lose lives."

The full text of PSI's report is available here.

After releasing the report, Blumenthal delivered an opening statement at a Subcommittee hearing about medical research and vaccine policies. At the hearing, Blumenthal raised concerns about actions Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has taken that has corrupted science, undermined public health institutions, and put the health of American families at risk.

"This hearing is about, 'the corruption of science.' And I agree, we are witnessing the corruption of science, and it's happening before our eyes in real time. Maybe more accurately, it should be entitled, 'the denial and degrading of science,'" Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal continued, "When the Senate-confirmed Director of the CDC is fired because she refuses to fire officials who approve unscientific vaccine guidance without evidence, that is corruption of science. When the indisputable determination that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health are rescinded and clean energy projects are canceled in favor of pollution heavy coal, that is corruption of science. When the CDC's measles risk forecast is suppressed in the middle of the worst measles outbreak in decades, that is corruption of science. Overriding ongoing corruption of science is to deny or spawn doubt about safe and effective vaccines that discourages people from making use of them to save lives and keep our kids healthy."

A video of Blumenthal's opening statement can be found here.

Blumenthal wrote to HHS Secretary Kennedy demanding that he reverse his cancellation of grants and contracts that fund critical research and development of vaccines and treatments for deadly diseases and cancers. On August 5, 2025, Kennedy announced that HHS would no longer fund mRNA vaccine research, upending decades of progress made to protect people from the threat of deadly diseases.

"Currently, there are clinical trials underway to develop mRNA vaccines for a range of diseases including Norovirus, Lyme Disease, Cytomegalovirus, HIV, and the Avian Bird Flu. This research is an opportunity to prevent future illnesses and offer hope to individuals with limited treatment options. Further, scientists continue to make incredible strides to apply mRNA science to other deadly and hard to treat illnesses, such as pancreatic cancer," Blumenthal wrote.

"Turning your back on this research due to your own misguided understanding of science and vaccines will jeopardize countless lives and is a betrayal of your office and the health and wellbeing on the nation. I demand you end the cancellation of these mRNA contracts and end your repeated anti-science actions intended to block Americans' ability to access lifesaving vaccinations," Blumenthal concluded.

The full text of Blumenthal's letter is available here

On the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee

At a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday to consider the nomination of Karen Brazell to be the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Under Secretary for Benefits, Ranking Member Blumenthal grilled Brazell on her role as senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins and her inability to condemn proposals to claw back veterans' benefits-including harmful proposals to begin means-testing veterans' disability compensation.

Blumenthal questioned Brazell about her plans to lead the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), if confirmed: "Let me ask you, Dr. Brazell, do you support means testing VA disability compensation benefits?...It's a recommendation by the OMB Director Russell Vought. He's proposed clawing back benefits from veterans to save money. Will you tell the veterans of America that you'll oppose this kind of extreme, cruel measure?" Brazell refused to condemn the proposal include in a Vought-authored 2023 Budget Proposal, and instead said she would do a "full assessment and look into that program." She also refused to deny she would consider subsequent proposals from OMB Director Vought, including eliminating compensation payments to veterans rated 20% service-connected disabled or lower, and did not condemn the Trump Administration's recent elimination of collective bargaining rights at VA.

Blumenthal continued, "If you're confirmed, you're going to change the way disability benefits are calculated and ratings are determined?"

"Ranking Member Blumenthal, if confirmed, I will follow the law," Brazell responded.

Blumenthal concluded: "Well, I'm not asking if you'll follow the law. I'm really disturbed by these answers to my questions. I can't force you to be responsive, but I don't view that answer as responsive to my question."

The video of Blumenthal's questioning is available here.

On Twitter/X, Blumenthal further slammed Brazell for her inability to answer key questions during the hearing-highlighting the disqualifying nature of her responses.

"As VA's care & benefits are undermined by cuts in workforce & contracts, Karen Brazell's refusal to answer key questions about these policies seems disqualifying. She's the nominee to head the Veterans Benefits Administration. Republicans should demand responses too," wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.

Earlier this week, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) awarded Blumenthal their Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of his leadership and service to America's veterans as Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.

"I am honored to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from Vietnam Veterans of America-a fierce champion for veterans in Connecticut and across the nation," said Blumenthal. "Ensuring veterans receive quality health care and benefits starts with being voices for veterans, their families, and the dedicated workers who serve them. I'm grateful to Vietnam Veterans of America for their leadership, and I look forward to continuing our work to protect and expand the care and benefits that veterans need and deserve."

Fighting to Keep the Connecticut Sun

Blumenthal wrote to the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) regarding their reported interference in the Mohegan Tribe's negotiations with competing bidders for ownership of the Connecticut Sun women's basketball team. After more than two decades of ownership, the Mohegan Tribe is considering offers to sell the Sun. The WNBA has reportedly used its league governance powers to block proposals that would keep the team in Connecticut or New England - a potentially devastating loss to the state.

In his letter, Blumenthal warns the WNBA that such interference could violate federal antitrust laws.

"Any further attempts by the WNBA to use its considerable governance and market power over the Connecticut Sun to limit or dictate negotiations with the state of Connecticut could be a unreasonable restraint of trade and interference with the market that would violate federal antitrust laws," Blumenthal wrote. "As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over antitrust matters, I am closely monitoring the WNBA's actions and will demand investigations and enforcement actions from the appropriate federal authorities if it takes any step to hinder or constrain Connecticut's negotiations."

Blumenthal further slammed the WNBA for their reported interference with negotiations to keep the Sun in Connecticut on Twitter/X.

"I'm calling foul. The WNBA has to follow the rules & stop interfering with the state's efforts to keep the Sun here in CT. I will seek DOJ action & demand an investigation if they continue their seemingly illegal misuse of power," wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal Bulletin

Blumenthal condemned political violence and shared condolences with Charlie Kirk's family.

Blumenthal honored the victims of 9/11.

Blumenthal introduced legislation designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Blumenthal introduced a bill honoring Judge Constance Baker Motley with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Blumenthal urged Cigna to rescind its new policy that burdens healthcare providers.

Blumenthal released a statement on the $11 million awarded to Pratt & Whitney for F100 engines.

Blumenthal filed an amicus brief with his colleagues fighting the Trump Administration's abuse of military deployments.

Blumenthal joined his colleagues in bolstering SNAP benefits for student loan borrowers.

Blumenthal announced a bill punishing animal abusers and strengthening law enforcement's ability to penalize and hold abusers accountable.

Blumenthal called for hard-hitting sanctions on Russia.

Blumenthal slammed Putin's attack on Poland.

Blumenthal met with Ukrainian government officials working to support their rapidly growing veteran population.

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