Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today sent a letter to members of the House Judiciary Committee urging the committee to hold hearings to learn about the consequences of proposed antitrust legislation, rather than marking up the bills this week. TechNet also joined a dozen other organizations in a joint letter to the same committee highlighting the widespread consumer harms these bills would create. The following can be attributed to TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore:

“These bills would fundamentally alter the U.S. economy, stifle innovation, and weaken American competitiveness. TechNet welcomes a thoughtful policy discussion about these issues and urges the committee to hold hearings to learn more about the consequences of these bills, rather than rush from introduction to markup in just 12 days.

“These bills could delay how consumers receive goods needed for their health, safety, and well-being; limit access to critical information; and deny conveniences that consumers have come to rely on throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They put at risk free services consumers use to message and call loved ones, locate missing devices, get driving directions, watch videos online, and much more. They would also limit the services that small businesses depend on to reach customers and add jobs.

“American innovation should be embraced, not discouraged. We never know where the next great, life-impacting idea or product will come from. We must ensure those ideas and products are being developed in this country, not somewhere else.”