House committee approves Big Tech antitrust blueprint

The House Judiciary Committee late Wednesday night formally approved a report on monopoly power in digital marketplaces.

The over 400-page document depicting ways that Alphabet, Amazon, Apple and Facebook allegedly abuse their market power was approved on a 24-17 party-line vote.

The report was released in October by Democrats on the committee but was the result of a bipartisan investigation, and some Republicans have signaled support for antitrust initiatives drawing on the report. Democrats on the committee are now expected to move forward with legislation.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who worked with me over the past two years to compile this Report, which makes clear that Congress and the antitrust enforcement agencies must step up to restore a competitive marketplace, enhance innovation, and protect our democracy,” Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), chair of the judiciary subcommittee focused on antitrust, said in a statement.

“Now that the Judiciary Committee has formally adopted our findings, I look forward to crafting legislation that addresses the significant concerns we have raised,” he added.

The report includes several potential changes to antitrust law, spanning from structural separation to providing more funding for antitrust enforcers.