WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 6, 2020) – The following statement was issued by Stacy Mitchell, Co-Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, in response to the report by the House Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust Subcommittee on the power of Amazon and other tech giants.
“This report marks a dramatic advance in the debate about monopoly power and Big Tech. The investigation has uncovered extensive and detailed evidence that Amazon has amassed outsized market power and is exploiting its dominance to crush competitors and monopolize markets. The cost to Americans is steep: Amazon is using its power to concentrate wealth, trample independent businesses and start-ups, and undermine communities.
“Importantly, the report demonstrates a strong commitment by members of Congress to tackle this threat head-on by reinvigorating and updating our antimonopoly policies. The report’s policy recommendations provide a roadmap for restoring fairness and competition, strengthening our economy, and safeguarding democracy. Congress urgently needs to take up these recommendations.”
Read the Subcommittee’s report in full here.
Background:
- Policy recommendations submitted by ILSR to the subcommittee in May
- Amazon’s Monopoly Tollbooth — July 2020 report cited in the hearings
- Testimony of ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell before the committee
