Free Speech

Rand Paul Was Right To Block the Senate's Attempt To Censor the Internet

The bill’s “duty of care” could pressure platforms to suppress lawful speech in the name of protecting children.

Reem Ibrahim | 10.2.2026 3:59 PM

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(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom.)

Congress' latest attempt to regulate the internet has been stalled until after the midterms.

On Wednesday, Sen. Rand Paul (R–Ky.) blocked efforts to pass the Senate's Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)—a bill that would legally require platforms to "exercise reasonable care" in creating any "design feature" that could foreseeably harm minors—through unanimous consent (a fast-track procedure that would only pass if no senator objects). Paul objected, and because the Senate has left Washington until after the midterm elections, KOSA has been stalled for the time being.

"If good intentions created laws, or created good laws, there would be no need for congressional debate," said Paul in his objection. "I have no doubt that the authors of this bill genuinely want to protect children, but the bill they have written promises to be a Pandora's box of unintended consequences." He argued that KOSA would "impose an unprecedented duty of care" on platforms, and that this will "inevitably lead" to "the stifling of First Amendment protected speech."

"Free minds and parental guidance are........

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