Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Capitol Hill on December 10 between 5:16 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. UTC to discuss smartphone age regulation, advocating Apple's approach to protect children without uploading sensitive data ahead of a panel markup tomorrow on a bill Apple says risks kids' privacy, according to Axios reporter Ben Brody on X. Cook pushed the company's method during the meeting as the markup looms on legislation criticized by Apple for privacy concerns, Brody reported in a scoop for tech subscribers. Separately, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) declined to confirm her vote on the Cassidy-Crapo healthcare proposal, stating she is still negotiating, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) announced he will vote against it tomorrow, calling it "Obamacare lite" unless he receives a vote on his own plan, according to reporter Dylan Sivak on X during the same 29-minute window. These healthcare developments follow Senate GOP Whip John Thune's earlier comments today on ongoing bipartisan talks to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies amid expected failed votes tomorrow, as previously reported.
