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Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)
Jake Auchincloss
Democrat·Massachusetts

Reps. Auchincloss, Houchin Introduce Bipartisan 16 & Up Social Media Act to Keep Kids Under 16 Off Addictive Social Media Platforms

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Source: https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-auchincloss-houchin-introduce-bipartisan-16-and-up-social-media-act-to-keep-kids-under-16-off-addictive-social-media-platforms
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Record ID: 20ce89b0-bf2d-4cba-a26e-2387c77a39fe

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