Washington D.C. – Senate Judiciary members have again reintroduced the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA). The bill, which has shed co-sponsors since it was first proposed in 2021, would make antitrust regulation more political, while presuming anticompetitive conduct before litigating its merits.
AICOA would prohibit several common procompetitive business practices for designated companies, and it could impact services consumers like from free shipping to how their phones work.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association, whose 8-figure ad campaign featured prominently in the original debate over AICOA, has advocated for sound competition policy since 1972.
The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers:
“The pandemic-era idea of putting governments in charge of business strategy has grown stale. AICOA’s approach has floundered when tried overseas, which helps explain why it has seen declining support in Congress since it was first proposed.
“The re-introduced AICOA flips competition law on its head: punishing success, not harms. If enacted, this legislation would increase prices, open the door to politicized lawsuits, and shutter American innovation.”
“As many consumers face economic challenges, this bill aims to undermine the free and low cost digital tools consumers use to find lower prices, exchange information, and work and study online. Ahead of the election, voters want to see Congress addressing top concerns, such as the increasing cost of living, not importing outdated regulations.”
