Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), faced a lengthy and contentious hearing in the House, where Republicans criticized her aggressive approach towards tech giants. The lawmakers accused Khan of “harassing” businesses and mocked the FTC’s recent losses in antitrust cases. Representative Kevin Kiley questioned why the agency was “losing so much,” referring to their 0-for-4 record in merger trials. This scrutiny comes after the FTC’s major defeat in attempting to block Microsoft’s $70 billion acquisition of Activision.
Khan, a legal scholar known for her efforts to regulate corporate power, has been a lightning rod for controversy since taking the helm of the FTC. She has called for more lawsuits against companies regardless of the outcome, advocating for updated antitrust laws in the digital age. Her aggressive agenda has caused shakeups within the agency, with Republican commissioners and senior officials resigning. However, the Biden administration continues to support Khan, emphasizing her accomplishments for consumers, workers, and small businesses.
Despite recent setbacks, Khan remains devoted to her focus on the tech industry. The FTC has filed an appeal against the court decision on Microsoft’s Activision deal and launched an investigation into AI start-up OpenAI. While her strategy may take time to bear fruit, legal experts recognize the long-term nature of her efforts.
During the hearing, Republicans used the recent court loss to criticize Khan’s judgment in pursuing cases, including the Microsoft-Activision merger. They questioned the logic behind the FTC’s actions, particularly concerning companies like Sony that have a significant market share. Representative Darrell Issa accused Khan of being a bully, suggesting that her focus was selective and lacked a comprehensive global perspective.
Representative Jim Jordan also joined in the criticism, accusing the FTC of “harassing” Twitter and praising owner Elon Musk for loosening restrictions on speech. However, Khan emphasized that the FTC’s role is to ensure companies comply with the law rather than have an opinion on ownership.
While facing relentless attacks from Republicans, Democratic representatives defended Khan and the FTC. Representative Jerrold Nadler highlighted the agency’s duty to investigate Twitter for violating a consent decree from over a decade ago.
In summary, Lina Khan faced intense criticism during the hearing from Republicans unhappy with her aggressive approach to regulating tech giants. Despite recent losses, Khan remains committed to her agenda and the Biden administration continues to support her. The hearing showcased the partisan divide surrounding the FTC’s actions and highlighted the challenges Khan faces in pushing for updated antitrust laws.
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