Sen. Rob Portman, a former U.S. trade representative, said he's glad House Ways and Means Committee chief trade counsel Katherine Tai is the nominee for his old job, because he thinks “that will help with moving an agenda forward vis a vis Congress.” Portman was one of eight former USTRs speaking on a webinar Dec. 17 hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is thought unlikely to press forward on a declaratory ruling on Communications Decency Act Section 230, industry and agency officials said, though FCC Democrats are watching closely. Commissioner Brendan Carr urged limited action Thursday (see 2012100074). Nathan Simington was picked as the next Republican commissioner largely because of his stance on Section 230. But for Pai, the downside would likely outweigh the benefits of acting, officials said.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is thought unlikely to press forward on a declaratory ruling on Communications Decency Act Section 230, industry and agency officials said, though FCC Democrats are watching closely. Commissioner Brendan Carr urged limited action Thursday (see 2012100074). Nathan Simington was picked as the next Republican commissioner largely because of his stance on Section 230. But for Pai, the downside would likely outweigh the benefits of acting, officials said.
Facebook is the subject of antitrust lawsuits from the FTC and attorneys general of both parties from 46 states, Guam and Washington, D.C. The FTC and AGs alleged separately Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Washington that Facebook committed illegal, anticompetitive behavior in the social media market (see 2012090042). Lawmakers from both parties praised the suits. Facebook said government shouldn’t get a “do-over” on approved acquisitions and the company will defend itself.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., withdrew his Section 230 legislation at Thursday’s markup, setting his sights on updating the tech industry’s liability shield in 2021. An amendment from Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., which would establish a private right of action for individuals to sue platforms, failed 5-16 with support from one Democrat, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., withdrew his Section 230 legislation at Thursday’s markup, setting his sights on updating the tech industry’s liability shield in 2021. An amendment from Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., which would establish a private right of action for individuals to sue platforms, failed 5-16 with support from one Democrat, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
Facebook is the subject of antitrust lawsuits from the FTC and attorneys general of both parties from 46 states, Guam and Washington, D.C. The FTC and AGs alleged separately Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Washington that Facebook committed illegal, anticompetitive behavior in the social media market (see 2012090042). Lawmakers from both parties praised the suits. Facebook said government shouldn’t get a “do-over” on approved acquisitions and the company will defend itself.
Facebook is the subject of antitrust lawsuits from the FTC and attorneys general of both parties from 46 states, Guam and Washington, D.C. The FTC and AGs alleged separately Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Washington that Facebook committed illegal, anticompetitive behavior in the social media market (see 2012090042). Lawmakers from both parties praised the suits. Facebook said government shouldn’t get a “do-over” on approved acquisitions and the company will defend itself.
The presidential election, still undecided at our deadline, is likely to create a murky environment for the FCC and Chairman Ajit Pai, at least until all the votes are counted and court cases and recounts resolved, experts said. The situation is reminiscent of 2000, when George W. Bush’s election wasn’t clear for a month. As we went to press, former Vice President Joe Biden was ahead in key swing states, but President Donald Trump still had a potential path to victory.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Tuesday the agency thinks it's on a strong legal foundation for whatever challenge may come after its 3-2 approval of a net neutrality remand order, despite an expected legal challenge or reconsideration petition (see 2010150026). The two Democratic commissioners dissented. There also were full or partial dissents to decisions ending some ILEC unbundling and resale requirements with varying transition periods for different network elements, a robocalls enforcement order wireless infrastructure rules and the 5G Fund creation (see 2010270034). But there was no clash on other orders. No approved order texts were released Tuesday.