Tech antitrust bills’ make or break moment

Lawmakers and lobbyists anticipate a major fight over antitrust bills meant to tame Big Tech before the midterms put an unofficial end to the legislative effort. The bills could remake how Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google operate and treat competitors — if they make it over the finish line. A number of bills that originated in a House Judiciary Committee package have bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, and lawmakers want to move pieces forward as soon as possible. The American Innovation and Choice Online Act, which would prohibit Big Tech companies from favoring their own services in an anti-competitive way, is backed by the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee, as well as Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The Platform Competition and Opportunity Act aims to make it more difficult for Big Tech companies to buy up competitors, and the Open App Markets Act aims to boost competition in app stores. Lawmakers want to be home campaigning before the midterms and also aren't keen on bipartisanship just before voters head to the polls. Meanwhile, if Republicans take control of Congress, it’s unlikely the Democrat-led bills will advance. Republicans will have their own legislative priorities.