Overview
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is a US Senator and the lead Republican co-sponsor of the KOSA across multiple Congresses, alongside Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Outspoken on anti-trans positions; introduced or supported Tennessee’s drag-show legislation; quoted across the Bad Internet Bills Campaign sources as having explicitly stated she wants to use KOSA “to protect minors from the transgender.”
Key Facts
- Lead R co-sponsor of KOSA since first introduction in 2022; reintroduced through multiple Congresses
- Quoted on KOSA’s anti-trans intent: Said in interview she wants to use KOSA to protect minors “from the transgender” — cited in This Bill Purports to Protect Kids From Big Tech — Bonesteel and Why Are Some Democrats Backing MAGA’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Censorship?
- Tennessee drag-show legislation — TN passed laws targeting drag performances around minors; cited in President Biden’s executive action on children and the internet as an indicator of how state AGs would weaponize KOSA’s duty of care
- Heritage-aligned framing — Promotes the “social media is turning kids trans” conspiracy theory (Why Are Some Democrats Backing MAGA’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Censorship?)
- Bipartisan-with-Blumenthal positioning makes KOSA harder to attack on partisan grounds; this is the political utility she provides
Newsletter Relevance
Blackburn is the cleanest political-character anchor for any KOSA piece because her on-record statements explicitly confirm what KOSA opponents argue is the bill’s intended use. The “from the transgender” quote is a direct receipt that resolves the bill’s “is it really about LGBTQ+ censorship?” question in opponents’ favor.
Connections
- Richard Blumenthal — KOSA co-sponsor (D-CT)
- Heritage Foundation — intellectual ally on KOSA framing
- Donald Trump — administration aligned with Blackburn’s agenda
- Project 2025 — broader anti-LGBTQ+ project KOSA fits within
Source Appearances
- Bad Internet Bills — Fight for the Future Campaign Hub — KOSA co-sponsor
- LGBTQ Youth Are Under Attack — Why Are Democrats Pushing a Bill That Hurts Them More — anti-trans positioning cited
- Congress is flooded with bills for childproofing the internet — KOSA reintroduction
- Child safety bills are reshaping the internet for everyone — TN drag-show context
- President Biden’s executive action on children and the internet — KOSA context
- This Bill Purports to Protect Kids From Big Tech — Bonesteel — “from the transgender” quote
- Why Are Some Democrats Backing MAGA’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Censorship? — most extensive KOSA framing analysis
Open Questions
- Has Blackburn’s “from the transgender” quote been formally retracted, contextualized, or revised in any subsequent statement? (Across multiple cluster sources it appears verbatim and unrebutted.)
- Blackburn’s broader internet-policy positions — relationship to Section 230 sunset proposals, age-verification SCREEN Act, etc.