Big Tech’s Governing Blueprint

During a recent briefing panel at the DNC, the Chamber of Progress, a lobbying group for major tech companies, presented its agenda, which contrasts with Vice President Kamala Harris's positions on several key issues. The Chamber represents tech giants like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook, all of which are currently facing antitrust lawsuits from the Biden administration. The panel aimed to influence Harris to adopt a more corporate-friendly stance, particularly regarding market power and taxation. The Chamber's playbook downplays the impact of concentrated market power on inflation, suggesting that corporate greed is a minor factor. This perspective conflicts with Harris's proposal to ban price-gouging, which is rooted in the belief that market concentration drives up prices. Additionally, the Chamber's stance on taxes diverges from Harris's support for significant tax increases on wealthy individuals and large corporations, as proposed by the Biden administration. One of the Chamber's primary focuses is on making housing more affordable by advocating for changes to local zoning laws, which aligns with some Democratic views. Harris has also proposed measures to ease housing restrictions and provide financial relief to first-time homebuyers. However, the Chamber argues that demand-side subsidies could worsen the housing crisis, emphasizing the need for reduced regulatory barriers instead. In healthcare, the Chamber acknowledges the necessity of competition and calls for increased funding for antitrust enforcement against hospital systems. This position raises questions about whether the Chamber will leverage its lobbying power to support the very agencies targeting its tech clients, highlighting the complex relationship between corporate interests and regulatory enforcement.