APP Urges House Republicans to Support Big Tech Antitrust Package
WASHINGTON — This week, the House of Representatives will be considering a package that includes three bipartisan bills seeking to rein in Big Tech by strengthening antitrust law enforcement. House Judiciary ranking member Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has already indicated to Republican members that he will be whipping opposition to the package.
Two of the three bills in the package have already passed the Senate: the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act passed last year with bipartisan support as part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), and the State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act passed by unanimous consent earlier this year. The third bill, the Foreign Merger Subsidy Disclosure Act, simply requires that merging companies disclose to federal antitrust regulators any financial support or subsidies provided by foreign governments.
Jon Schweppe, policy director at American Principles Project (APP), released the following statement urging support for the bills:
“GOP voters want GOP policymakers to do whatever they can about Big Tech, especially after the companies directly interfered in the 2020 election and ultimately swung the outcome.
“The time will come for Section 230 reform and other antitrust enforcement measures, but in the meantime, we expect House Republicans to support this package, which we view as an important first step in our efforts to rein in the power of Big Tech.
“This is a critically important vote. It will demonstrate whether the GOP is willing to do the absolute bare minimum to follow through on its rhetoric about taking on these companies. And if this legislation passes, it will finally send a message and put Big Tech on notice.
“We strongly urge Republican members to vote yes.”
To schedule an engagement with American Principles Project, contact Paul Dupont at (o) 202-503-2010 or pdupont@americanprinciplesproject.org.