Nominating Kahn for FTC is a Welcome Addition to Team Biden

It was recently announced, that President Joe Biden plans to nominate Columbia Law School professor Lina Khan, who specializes in antitrust law, to serve as a member of the Federal Trade Commission. Biden’s choice further signals that the current Commander in Chief is looking to take on Big Tech. This selection is a welcome decision by the President, and Centrist Democrats of America is supportive of ensuring that Big Tech is (a) treated fairly, (b) recognized for its contribution to society and our economy, and © no longer free to operate — at times — with disregard for consumer wellbeing.

CDA is also supportive of new legislation being introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who chairs the Judiciary Committee’s antitrust subcommittee, to strengthen antitrust laws. Here is a great piece in Forbes, that looks at Klobuchar’s legislation, and explains why there is a need to modernize our antitrust laws. More information on this important bill is available from the Senator’s office, here.

Lastly, CDA is pleased that the current Administration is appointing people who will make federal antitrust enforcement about ensuring a vibrant and competitive marketplace. Alternatively, the previous Administration seemed more interested in using antitrust laws to punish political adversaries, including going after Amazonbecause they owned the Washington Post, which was critical of the last President, and blocking a mergerbetween AT&T and Time Warner, because the latter owned CNN, another vocal critic of the Donald Trump. This type of politicized antitrust enforcement is, to put it mildly, destructive and no President should ever again be allowed to wield power in a similar matter.