Big Tech’s Latest Antitrust Gambit
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** CfA's September 1, 2023 Newsletter
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With your support, Campaign for Accountability is working to expose corruption and hold the powerful accountable.
** This Week's Updates:
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New TTP Report Identifies Robert Bork Jr. as Big Tech’s Latest Antitrust Mouthpiece
Yesterday, CfA’s Tech Transparency Project (TTP) published a report ([link removed]) examining the alliance between Big Tech and Robert Bork Jr., the son of President Reagan’s thwarted Supreme Court nominee. Bork launched a career in PR after a brief stint in journalism, and appears to have begun working with Amazon sometime in 2021, when he launched an advocacy initiative called the Antitrust Education Project (AEP). On its website, AEP describes itself as a “response by legal scholars, thinkers, and practitioners to the recent deterioration of American antitrust theory and application.”
Corporate ([link removed]) disclosures ([link removed]) revealed that AEP is funded by Amazon, though the company’s exact contributions are unknown. While AEP’s most frequent target for its criticism is Lina Khan at the FTC, the group has also criticized Jonathan Kanter, Biden’s DoJ Antitrust Division pick, for having “public animus toward Google.” Notably, AEP ran this campaign against Kanter without disclosing that Google was a client of Bork’s PR firm. Bork, meanwhile has criticized Republicans who support bipartisan tech reforms – a strategy that closely aligns with the interests of Amazon and other Big Tech companies.
The Daily Beast, which covered ([link removed]) TTP's findings, reported that Amazon declined to comment on the story. A Google spokesperson clarified that Google no longer works with Bork’s PR firm, but would not answer questions regarding the company’s support for other Bork-led initiatives. Bork’s criticism of tech reform often attacks Republicans from the right, accusing them ([link removed]) of endorsing policies to make “social-media companies more woke.” It’s unclear if Big Tech would choose Bork Jr.’s rhetoric over other lines of persuasion, but—as long as they keep paying him—they apparently feel that the ends justify the means.
Pennsylvania Ends State Funding to Anti-Abortion Organization "Real Alternatives"
For decades, Pennsylvania taxpayers subsidized a network of anti-abortion clinics that failed to provide basic care, including contraception. Governor Josh Shapiro says his administration will not support the work of Real Alternatives, and will be redirecting their funding to protect abortion access.
"Now, just as many states unfortunately looked to Pennsylvania as a model for letting these programs into their states, we urge other states to follow suit in eliminating this spending that is not just wasteful, but actively harmful to the health of their citizens," CfA's Michelle Kuppersmith told The Associated Press ([link removed]) . See CfA’s letter calling on Pennsylvania officials to investigate Real Alternatives, here ([link removed]) .
Tennessee House Speaker Attempts to Quash Ethics Criticism
Back in April, Judd Legum of Popular Information reported ([link removed]) that Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton appeared to have purchased a secret home in Nashville – outside of his district – while continuing to compensate himself tens of thousands of dollars for travel and lodging. CfA followed up with a complaint ([link removed]) to the Tennessee District Attorney and the US Attorney in Nashville, urging both offices to investigate whether Sexton had violated criminal law by intentionally and falsely claiming that he was entitled to this compensation. This week, Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones (D) was told by of no confidence for the Speaker, who Jones accused of “misrepresenting his residency” and “defrauding Tennessee taxpayers.”
Sexton proceeded to silence Jones using powers that were granted to him at the start of the legislature’s special session, which was called to consider public safety in the wake of the Nashville school shooting. Sexton declared that Jones was “off-topic” in his criticism of plans to bring more weapons and police officers into Tennessee schools, rather than focusing on support for mental health. Jones, who describe his silencing as a “charade ([link removed]) ,” was therefore unable to introduce the no confidence motion. "This is very disheartening, this is very troubling,” said Jones. “This is a step toward authoritarianism, and we should all be troubled by this."
FEC Delays Consideration of Debilitating Rules Change
Last week, Republican-appointed FEC Commissioner Allen J. Dickerson introduced a proposal ([link removed]) to “regularize” investigations and “provide a means for regulator communication” between commissioners and the Office of General Council (OGC). In practice, Dickeron’s rule change would have sharply limited the pace of investigations by forcing the OGC to seek approval for any modifications to their process, like the addition of new witnesses or documents. CfA worked to draw attention ([link removed]) to this harmful proposal, which was made just a few days before the commission was due to vote on it. At the last minute, the FEC modified its Thursday meeting agenda ([link removed]) in order to consider the rule change at a later date. Now, House Administration Committee Ranking Member Rep. Joe Morelle has written a letter
([link removed]) to commissioners opposing the adoption of the rule, which he said would “represent a dramatic shift in the enforcement practices of the agency” and severely burden the OGC.
What We're Reading
Facing investigation, NC Supreme Court Justice files lawsuit saying she's being silenced ([link removed])
GOP salivates at the biggest campaign finance win since Citizens United ([link removed])
The Most Galling Part of Clarence Thomas’ Latest Ethics Disclosure ([link removed])
** Follow Our Work:
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We thank you for your continued support. Without people like you, our work would not be possible.
Here is how you can stay involved and help us accomplish our mission:
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2. Follow the Tech Transparency Project on Twitter ([link removed]) .
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5. Make a tax-deductible donation ([link removed]) .
Be on the lookout for more updates about our work in the upcoming weeks. Thanks again for signing up to be a part of CfA!
Sincerely,
Michelle Kuppersmith
Executive Director, Campaign for Accountability
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