Sweeping Bill to Restrict Big Tech Companies Hits Roadblock in Senate

Critics of Big Tech have been counting on Congress to take action on new regulations for Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook, but the timing has slipped. The Senate is expected to take up a major climate and health care package before its August recess, pushing the antitrust bill back on the agenda. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, has been a driving force behind the legislation, known as the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, which would aim to promote competition by stopping the companies from prioritizing their own services over those of their rivals.

Key Takeaways:

• The Senate's failure to secure a vote on the antitrust bill is a setback for its supporters, who believe Big Tech has too much control over commerce, communications, and culture.
• The bill would bar companies like Amazon and Google from prioritizing their own services over those of their rivals, promoting competition for smaller businesses.
• Senator Amy Klobuchar's bill has bipartisan support and has been approved by the Judiciary Committee, but its backers acknowledge that its passage is uncertain.
• Big Tech companies have poured tens of millions of dollars into lobbying against the bill, which they claim could have unintended consequences for online speech.
• Campaign ads paid for by groups funded by Big Tech companies have targeted Democratic senators, warning them that the legislation is ill-advised at a time of high inflation.
• Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader, believes the bill has fewer than 60 votes, which would be needed to overcome a filibuster.

Statistics:

• Tens of millions of dollars have been spent by Big Tech companies on lobbying against the antitrust bill.
• 60 votes are required in the Senate to overcome a filibuster.
• The bill has bipartisan support, having been approved by the Judiciary Committee with bipartisan votes.
• The Senate's climate and health care package will be ready for debate before its August recess, pushing the antitrust bill back.
• 2022 is expected to be a pivotal year for Big Tech regulations, with the antitrust bill and a similar proposal in the House of Representatives both aiming to promote competition.

Sources:

• WASHINGTON -- Critics of the country's largest tech companies branded the last few months ''Hot Antitrust Summer'' because they hoped that Congress would vote on new regulations for Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook.
• Senator Amy Klobuchar (Democrat of Minnesota)
• Bloomberg article, "Schumer says he won't put antitrust bill on floor unless he's confident it will pass"
• NY Times article, "Senator Schumer’s Climate, Energy and Tax Plan"