Policymakers

Get ready for speculation over who will take over as top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, whose jurisdiction covers everything from broadband and net neutrality to media ownership and online liability protections, a coveted spot among lawmakers. Rep Mike Doyle (D-PA) replaced Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) as the subcommittee’s top Democrat in 2017 and became chair in 2019. Doyle has prioritized efforts to restore Obama-era net neutrality regulations that were repealed during the Trump years.

The Pittsburgh region’s longest-serving congressman is stepping down at the end of his term in 2022. Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Mike Doyle (D-PA) says it’s time for a generational change. With 27 years in the House of Representatives, Doyle says he’s ready to retire next year when he turns 69. “I believe the time has come to pass the torch to the next generation,” said Doyle at a press conference Monday afternoon.

Google, Amazon and Microsoft have donated tens of thousands of dollars to key members of the Senate over the past three months. Some of the most significant conversations about the future of tech regulation are moving to the upper chamber, with Sen Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) negotiating with bipartisan lawmakers over tech antitrust legislation and senators considering how to respond to the Senate Commerce Committee’s explosive hearing with Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen in October 2021.

Sen Mike Lee (R-UT), the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary antitrust panel, is nowhere to be found on the list of senators sponsoring the bipartisan antitrust bill slated to be introduced next week. The effort, led by Senate Judiciary antitrust Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senate Judiciary ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-IA), is the latest move in Congress’ efforts to rein in the tech giants.

During the summer of 2021, the Senate gave overwhelming approval to $65 billion for broadband access in the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The pandemic had clearly captured the attention of elected officials. The ultimate success of this initiative depends first on Congress’ final approval, then on the Federal Communications Commission and other government agencies being ready to move quickly in allocating funds.

Anxiety is rising among Democrats as President Joe Biden marks nearly nine months in office without naming anyone to serve on the Federal Communications Commission — a lapse that could soon put Republicans in the majority at the agency. It also puts Biden’s broadband goals at risk, his party says. Congressional Democrats have been sounding the alarm for months, fearing a squandered year on the president’s progressive priorities, such as reinstating net neutrality rules and demanding greater transparency on internet billing.

The controversy over what Facebook has said about social and emotional hazards stemming from its products could become a test of the Securities and Exchange Commission's growing interest in policing corporate risks that hurt reputations more than profits.

Jonathan Kanter, who has represented Big Tech rivals like Yelp and News Corp, skated through his nomination hearing for leader of the Justice Department's antitrust division without incident as both Democrats and Republicans lauded his tougher stance on regulating digital behemoths. It’s no surprise Democrats are backing President Biden's pick, a favorite among progressives and anti-monopoly advocates.

Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA), senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called on the Committee to subpoena documents from Facebook related to recent whistleblower complaints and testimony. “Frances Haugen courageously exposed what we've long suspected: Facebook has known the harm caused by their platform and has done nothing about it," stated Eshoo. "The Energy and Commerce Committee must subpoena all documents from Facebook related to Ms.

Lawmakers are getting frustrated with the Biden administration’s lack of urgency in appointing a fifth commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission. The five-member agency has been down a commissioner since former GOP Chair Ajit Pai vacated the position during the presidential transition. Democratic lawmakers and progressive groups expected President Joe Biden to move quickly on a nominee, since a fully staffed FCC would be crucial to achieving progressive goals like reinstating net neutrality rules and increasing transparency around internet billing.