Taxpayer Watchdog Questions Republican Regulatory Assault on ‘Big Tech’

For Immediate Release

Contact: David Williams

Washington, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) expressed concerned about the “Big Tech Accountability Platform” released by recent Chair of the House Republican Conference – and incoming ranking member of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee – Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Wash.).

In response, TPA Vice President of Policy Patrick Hedger offered the following statement:

“The First Amendment hasn’t changed since October of 2019 when Rep. McMorris-Rodgers clearly stated that many of the exact same proposals found in this memo are unconstitutional.

“It is a shame to continue to see Republicans waste taxpayers’ time and resources pursuing an agenda that invites the government to where it is strictly forbidden. It is not up to elected officials to police speech online, nor should they abuse consumer protection laws to settle political scores. They rightfully screamed bloody murder when the IRS was doing just that.

“If Republicans are serious about promoting competition in the technology space, they’d focus their efforts on reforms like lowering barriers to investment entry and exit, not attempting to micromanage the average user experience online.”

Rep. McMorris-Rodgers’ past statements on this issue can be found here.

#

Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.