California Democrats clash over tech antitrust fight

California Democrats are clashing with members of their party over a package of antitrust bills targeting the top tech companies in the country. Democratic representatives from California on the House Judiciary Committee, particularly those representing tech-heavy Bay Area districts, voted against the majority of their colleagues over the past two days on five antitrust bills that seek to rein in the market power of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. The stiff opposition from the California delegation may cause further hurdles as the legislation heads to the House floor, with moderate and progressive Democrats, as well as prominent Republicans, voicing concern over the bills. Critics on both sides of the aisle claim that the antitrust bills were rushed and not comprehensive enough. Those in support of the bills have dismissed these arguments, pointing to the Antitrust Subcommittee's sixteen-month bipartisan investigation into the market power of the four tech giants. Despite the pushback, lawmakers still think the bills can pass the House, especially if the subcommittee’s report is highlighted.