Senate Judiciary Adds Self-Preferencing Antitrust Bill to Markup

The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled an antitrust bill for markup Thursday morning (see 2110210003). The American Innovation and Choice Online Act would prohibit online platforms from self-preferencing their products. This is the first time S-2992 has appeared on the agenda, meaning the committee expects to hold it over a week. Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced the measure. Klobuchar said she looks forward to voting the bill out of committee. The proposal would “bring greater fairness for small businesses and more transparency for consumers to these dominant online platforms,” said Grassley. “Gerrymandering regulations around a handful of leading businesses will skew competition and leave consumers worse off,” said Computer and Communications Industry Association President Matt Schruers. “By hamstringing successful U.S. tech companies without even imposing corresponding obligations on foreign rivals, this shortsighted legislation will put the data and security of U.S. users at risk.” NetChoice criticized the committee for not holding a legislative hearing on the bill. “A bill that threatens to remove choice, increase prices, and expose our personal information to foreign actors should, at a minimum, start with a hearing and transparent debate,” said Vice President Carl Szabo. The markup is set for 9 a.m. in 216 Hart.