Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has hired a senior Republican congressional staffer, boosting its attempts to thwart a new antitrust measure targeting US internet corporations, according to two individuals with knowledge of the move.
As the Senate Judiciary Committee drafted and approved a bill that would restrict Amazon’s ability to market products to consumers and interact with its competitors, Judd Smith served as the committee’s counsel. His move to Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), the e-commerce company loathed by lawmakers for its market domination, will contribute to efforts to prevent a vote on the legislation in the full Senate. By employing him, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) adds a significant voice to the committee’s most pressing topics.
According to two additional individuals acquainted with Smith’s efforts, he helped negotiate amendments to the legislation while working with Republican offices to advance the bill. According to one person, Smith was the top antitrust adviser for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, one of the initial Republican cosponsors of the bill.
Smith will be prohibited from lobbying Senate Judiciary staff and members for a year following his departure from the committee. However, he could be influential in persuading House Republicans to vote against the measure if it passes the Senate. Smith formerly collaborated with former Pennsylvania Representative Tom Marino, who was the leading Republican on the antitrust panel. The American Innovation and Choice Online Act would prevent Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Alphabet Inc.’s Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), Facebook parent company Meta Platforms Inc.(NASDAQ:META), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)from favoring their goods over those of competitors. Sponsors and supporters of the initiative urged Senate leadership to consider the measure before members leave for a four-week summer recess.
The House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee has advanced a bill to prevent internet economic dominance. For President Joe Biden to sign the account into law, the House and Senate must approve the identical version. According to two sources, Smith will join the public policy team at Amazon Web Services (NASDAQ:AMZN) to influence Republicans. Four individuals requested anonymity while discussing an internal decision. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Smith did not respond to comment inquiries.
Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, has led efforts to bring the bill to the floor of the Senate. Still, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the Senate would not have time to consider it this week before the August recess.
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