***Statement***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Virgil McDill, vmcdill@ilsr.org, 202.294.9187
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 5, 2021) - Statement from Small Business Rising on the introduction of the Platform Competition and Opportunity Act of 2021, legislation that would set a high bar for acquisitions and mergers by Big Tech firms.
“We applaud the leadership of Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tom Cotton on this legislation which will help to restore vitality to our digital markets and level the playing field.
“Right now, Big Tech’s stranglehold is killing America’s small, independent businesses. Anti-competitive mergers are one of the key ways that Amazon, Facebook, and Google have gained control over our digital markets and used that power to exploit small businesses through predatory terms and outrageous fees.
“America’s independent businesses and entrepreneurs cannot succeed in a world where the tech giants are allowed to remain all-powerful gatekeepers. Along with structural separation and nondiscrimination legislation, this bill is a key legislative step to ensure that independent businesses have a chance to compete and thrive.
“Our coalition, representing more than 150,000 independent businesses, urges Congress to move swiftly to restore competition, innovation, and fairness into our digital markets by passing the Platform Competition and Opportunity Act of 2021 and other anti-monopoly measures.”
About Small Business Rising
Small Business Rising is a coalition of over twenty national and local associations representing over 150,000 small and independent businesses from all corners of the country, united around the goals of reining in monopoly power and urging policymakers to build an economy that is more prosperous, equitable, and innovative.