BPC Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee's Passage of American Innovation and Choice Online Act

Washington, DC – Today the Senate Judiciary Committee demonstrated a rare show of bipartisanship. By a vote of 16 to 6, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act passed through the committee with strong bipartisan support and noteworthy bipartisan expressions of concern. The Judiciary Committee effort is one of several bills in Congress focused on the structure and practices of the nation’s largest digital technology companies. The stakes are high. In addition to consumer interests, Congress must continue to engage complex questions, including the implications for national security and global competition, the best mechanisms to accelerate innovation, ensuring individual freedom, and expectations of personal privacy.

The Bipartisan Policy Center is encouraged by the bipartisan collaboration on display and the substantive exchanges that preceded the committee vote during today’s hearing. As many Senators noted, the importance, complexity, and potential national security implications of these issues demand additional rigorous, evidence-based deliberation before the full Senate considers the legislation. The broad ideological engagement and interest displayed today presents a rare opportunity for Congress to dig into the substance of these issues, absent the reflexive politicization and polarization that dominates most major policy debates. We are encouraged by members’ statements on and off the Judiciary Committee to continue these bipartisan discussions to determine the best way to address these critical issues.