Small Businesses Push For Antitrust Reform

Fifteen organizations representing small business interests sent a letter to congressional leadership on Monday calling for a raft of antitrust bills to be brought to the floor, reported The Hill.

The bills, approved by the House Judiciary Committee last year on a bipartisan basis, are crucial to addressing the monopoly power of America’s largest tech companies, the groups led by the progressive Institute for Local Self-Reliance nonprofit argue.

“Concentrated market power is the single biggest threat facing independent businesses, and the status quo in our digital markets is untenable,” the letter reads. 

“The bipartisan package of bills is proof there is momentum on both sides of the aisle and represent an unprecedented opportunity to level the playfield for our small, independent businesses,” continue the groups, which include several regional organizations representing businesses in Cambridge, Ma., Spokane, Wash., and Austin, Texas.

The push from small business groups comes as tech companies and their trade organizations have ramped up their opposition to antitrust reform bills in both America and Europe.

Antitrust efforts to rein in Big Tech have taken center stage in legislative discussions across many jurisdictions as digital economies continue to grow at a fast pace, driving economic growth and gaining influence over the overall economy.

The bills advanced by the House committee have yet to get a floor vote amid lack of clear support from leadership, as well as opposition from some influential California Democrats.

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