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Dear Neighbor,
Throughout my tenure in Congress, and even back in the Florida Legislature, I have been a strong proponent of protecting children and strengthening our criminal justice system to ensure victims of crime receive the support they need to recover and heal. As the father of four boys and a new grandparent, I want to help build a system in which parents have the tools they need to keep their children safe, and in which those who violate or exploit children are held fully accountable.
This week, I took further steps to advance those goals on issues that have garnered national attention. I fully support complete transparency regarding the Epstein files and unwavering justice for the victims. No individual, regardless of wealth, power, position, or political party, should ever be shielded from accountability. The victims, and the American people, deserve nothing less than the full truth. That is why I proudly voted yes on legislation to ensure that all related files are released to the public, with the names of victims who have requested privacy appropriately redacted. My priority throughout this process has been delivering justice while ensuring that those who were harmed are protected. After meeting with a group of Epstein survivors last week, I am more confident than ever that this legislation is a critical step toward achieving that goal.
I also took important steps to advance legislation I have been championing for several years by working to reintroduce the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This bipartisan bill is designed to create a safer online environment for children by requiring social media platforms and other online services to prioritize the well-being of young users. KOSA will establish clear responsibilities for tech companies, including implementing default safety settings for minors, providing parents with more robust tools to oversee their children’s online activity, and ensuring platforms take meaningful action to limit exposure to harmful content. At a time when the mental and emotional health of young people is under unprecedented strain, KOSA is a practical and urgently needed step to give families greater control and protection in the digital world.
Both of these efforts, ensuring transparency and justice in the Epstein case, and safeguarding children from online harms, reflect a simple but essential commitment: protecting the most vulnerable among us. Whether confronting past abuses or preventing future ones, we must build systems that empower parents, support survivors, and hold wrongdoers accountable. I will continue working to advance these priorities and to ensure that our communities remain places where every child can grow up safe, supported, and protected.
Thank you for the honor of representing you. As always, my team and I are here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have questions about these or other federal issues or if we can help you on another matter.
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