Britt and Fetterman Spotlight Bipartisan Friendship, Youth Mental Health Push on NBC's Common Ground

April 24, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a rare display of cross‑party camaraderie, U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R‑Ala.) and John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) appeared together on NBC News' Common Ground with host Kristen Welker, highlighting how their personal friendship has fueled bipartisan work on youth mental health and social media reform.

The segment focused heavily on their joint legislation - including the Stop the Scroll Act and the Kids Off Social Media Act - and on the growing national concern over the impact of social media on children and teens.

A Friendship That Cuts Through Gridlock

Senator Britt emphasized that her relationship with Fetterman is rooted in trust, respect, and shared experiences as parents navigating the pressures of public service.

"We've taken the time to not just understand our politics or position on something, but to really get to know each other as people," Britt said. "That's missing so much right now."

She noted that their conversations often include the everyday realities of raising children while serving in the Senate - missed events, difficult votes, and the frustrations of Washington gridlock.

"We've commiserated over having to miss our children's activities and how to do this whole thing," she added. "We've used our conversations to try to spur something different in the Senate."

A Bipartisan Push to Protect Kids Online

Both senators described their social media legislation as an effort driven not by party labels but by parental concern.

"John and I approached this... not as Democrats or Republicans, but as concerned parents," Britt said. "We see what's happening across our country when it comes to mental health."

She pointed to data showing that youth depression rates more than doubled between 2011 and 2019, coinciding with the rise of social media platforms.

The Stop the Scroll Act would require pop‑up warnings on young users' devices, alerting them to the mental health risks associated with prolonged social media use. Britt stressed that the warnings would also include direct links to help for those in crisis.

The Kids Off Social Media Act, co‑sponsored by Britt, Fetterman, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Sen. Chris Murphy, would bar children under 13 from accessing social media and prohibit platforms from using algorithmic targeting on minors.

"It's time to do something," Britt said. "Doing nothing is feckless, and the next generation is paying the price."

Celebrating Artemis II and Alabama's Role in Space Leadership

The conversation also touched on the recent Artemis II mission, which Britt described as a unifying moment for the nation.

"That was the most incredible thing to watch," she said. "We were proud in Alabama - so much of that work is done at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville."

Britt praised NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman for accelerating the mission timeline and reaffirmed Alabama's central role in America's space future.

"We're going to continue to lead when it comes to space, and Alabama's proud to be a part of it."