Rep. Ken Buck
Kenneth (Ken) Robert BuckSenate passes bill to make former internment camp national historic site The Memo: China's Olympics get underway beneath shadow of abuses Lawmakers emerge from Russia-Ukraine briefings bracing for invasion MORE (Colo.), the top Republican on the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, is forming a new “Freedom From Big Tech Caucus” along with a handful of other GOP lawmakers who supported antitrust bills advanced by the committee last month, the congressman announced Friday.
Rep. Lance Gooden
Lance GoodenTrump issues endorsements in Texas congressional races Watchdog: 7 members of Congress allegedly failed to disclose stock trades GOP lawmakers demand answers on withheld restitution following Nassar revelation MORE (R-Texas) will serve as co-chairman of the caucus. Other founding members of the caucus include Reps. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), Burgess Owens (R-Utah) and Paul Gosar
Paul Anthony GosarOcasio-Cortez claps back after Tucker Carlson refers to her as 'entitled white lady' Lou Dobbs says he would be excited for Jim Jordan as House speaker, calls McCarthy a 'RINO' Klobuchar on 2 GOP lawmakers censured: 'To me, they've been patriots' MORE (R-Ariz.).
The caucus will aim to unite Republicans in Congress to “rein in Big Tech” through “legislation, education, and awareness.”
The announcement outlines a focus on antitrust reform, including restoring “the free and dynamic digital economy,” promoting “competition and innovation,” and supporting small businesses.
Additionally, the caucus said it will aim to protect privacy and data rights, protect children from harmful content online and “end political censorship.”
“Big Tech has abused its market power for decades, and Congress must act to hold these companies accountable and preserve the free market, promote competition and innovation, protect the freedom of speech, and foster a thriving digital economy,” Buck said in a statement.
The formation of the caucus comes as rifts within the House GOP deepen amid the push to pass the six antitrust bills the Judiciary Committee advanced that aim to reform antitrust power and target tech giants.
Rep. Jim Jordan
James (Jim) Daniel JordanLou Dobbs says he would be excited for Jim Jordan as House speaker, calls McCarthy a 'RINO' The real reason Jim Jordan is ranting against Jan. 6 committee staff Press: Time for Merrick Garland to flush Donald Trump MORE (R-Ohio), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, opposed the bills, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthyFive questions ahead of Trump's social media launch Trump praises McCarthy, Stefanik for endorsing Cheney challenger The Hill's Morning Report - One day, two continents, words of war MORE (R-Calif.) has also voiced criticism of the legislative package.
Amid the backlash, Jordan last week unveiled his own strategy for taking on Big Tech companies. Jordan’s agenda differed from the bills put forward by the committee, notably by calling for the Federal Trade Commission to be stripped of its antitrust enforcement authority.
Democrats face their own challenges on the bills, especially among a group of California lawmakers who have opposed the bills that target the companies based in their Bay Area districts.
