House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA) and Republican Congress-member Jim Jordan (OH) along with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) put out a framework this week designed to stop big tech’s anticompetitive efforts and censorship.
“The Trump White House wisely started antitrust actions against Google in October of 2020, but more can happen and Congressional effort is needed,” the Republican leaders said in a press release. “To preserve a free economy and free speech, it’s time that these big tech companies face the music. House GOP are ready to take the lead.”
The conservative leaders released their free speech and antitrust framework as House Dems debuted their series of laws that would allow the Federal Trade Commission more power and other ways to break up social media tech companies and stop Silicon Valley’s large influence.
Republicans, with Jordan included, have slammed the proposals for not dealing with conservative censorship. The DNC measures would also give more power to FTC leader Lina Khan.
Jordan stated in June that Khan’s liberal beliefs would not likely lead to the breakup of big tech companies, nor would it solve the big tech censorship problem.
“These bills give more power to the FTC, Biden’s commissioner we all understand is radically liberal. I do not really believe it breaks up big tech, and I do not believe it gives a remedy to those who are censored,” Jordan explained.
The GOP leaders’ program would center on three agendas: transparency, accountability, and empowering state-level lawyers to utilize antitrust laws against big tech.
Jordan, McCarthy, and McMorris Rodgers said in their proposal that would change Section 230 of the current Communications Decency Act in order to stop big tech’s power over free speech:
“Section 230 would be altered to limit certain safeguards for the moderation of free speech that is not guarded by the 1st Amendment and would stop Big Tech companies from targeting people based on their political connections. We would also need normal reauthorization of Section 230 so lawmakers can change regulations of the ever-changing internet landscape.”
They went on, noting that forcing big tech giants to define their vague language and terms would empower more free speech on the internet.
Author: Steven Sinclaire
