Schumer talks to donors about technology antitrust legislation

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Democrats last week urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to vote on two tech antitrust bills, but last night told donors they won’t do so yet.

At the heart of the problem is disagreement over whether enough senators support the two bills — one of which has a major impact on Apple…

Background

The threat of power and market dominance of a small number of tech giants is growing. Congress is working on several antitrust bills, each designed to address different issues. Two of these are now voice-ready:

It’s this second bill that poses the biggest threat to Apple, requiring major changes to the App Store business model, including allowing third-party app stores.

Apple has strongly argued that monopolizing the sale of iPhone apps is safer for consumers, but the continuing revelations of multi-million dollar fraud in the App Store has challenged this narrative.

Both bills now need Schumer to secure votes. He has refused so far, saying he wants to be sure they support the laws but will pass them. They believe he is less ambitious than he would like others to believe and is hoping they will be buried as he turns his attention to midterm elections.

Schumer said there are no votes for tech antitrust legislation

Bloomberg According to reports, Schumer has told donors that he believes a section still lacks the 60 votes needed to approve it.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said a group of donors said they don’t believe there are enough votes in the Senate to pass antitrust legislation intended to restore power to big tech companies, people familiar with the matter said. .

Schumer was asked about the measure, the American Choice and Innovation Online Act, during a question-and-answer session at a fundraiser Tuesday evening.

He called the legislation a “high priority,” but said the Senate lacked the 60 votes needed to approve the bill.

Democrats disagree for two reasons. First, both bills have bipartisan support.

As you know, these bills are the result of a bipartisan 16-month investigation by the House Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust, Business, and Administrative Law Subcommittee (Antitrust Subcommittee). This investigation was one of the most extensive and thorough market investigations in congressional history.

Second, various opinion polls show strong public support for the law. While some senators may be ambivalent, most are thought to want to be seen voting especially close to the midterms. But Schumer was unmoved.

Every week that passes without a sound brings us to summer vacation. If not voted on before then, there is concern that the bill will die as senators focus on their midterm campaigns instead of doing their jobs.

Photo: Eric Haynes/Edward M. Kennedy Institute

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