The recent Washington, D.C., topic du jour was distracted driving, and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota was involved.

“Too many drivers are texting behind the wheel,” Klobuchar told a summit on the subject. “The consequences of distracted driving are devastating and demand greater action by us all — no text message is worth dying for. As a former prosecutor, I know how important it is to keep our roads safe, and I will continue to work to enact laws that address distracted driving.”

The Minnesota Democrat is a co-sponsor of a bill that would, as she calls it, “encourage” states to ban texting while driving. Some state leaders use stronger words to describe the bill, saying it forces them to enact such legislation because it would withhold some federal funds if they do not take the action.