NEW: The JCPA has been removed from the NDAA. That’s good, but now it’s time to move AICOA and OAMA.

Late last night the final text of the NDAA was released, and the JCPA has been removed. Here’s a quick statement from Fight for the Future on this, which can be attributed to the group’s director, Evan Greer (she/her):

“The JCPA was a bad bill that would have further entrenched Big Tech and Big Media conglomerates and help Alden Capital and Sinclair, not journalists. It’s good that it was taken out of the must-pass NDAA.

But now Democratic leadership needs to actually deliver on real, meaningful legislation to rein in Big Tech’s monopoly abuses: put AICOA and OAMA up for a vote! These are the only two tech bills left standing, because they are the strongest and most popular. They have the broadest bipartisan support in Congress, the support of hundreds of small businesses, human rights groups, LGBTQ+ organizations, and open source projects, and everyone knows they would pass overhwelmingly if they were put up for a vote.

There are precious few days left. It would be an embarassment, and a travesty, if the Biden administration and Democratic leadership can’t deliver on their promise to rein in the abuses of Big Tech giants. There is still time to move AICOA and OAMA. This is a foundational issue that could impact the future of our democracy, and it will define the legacy of Biden and Congressional leaders.

Schumer pushed for the JCPA to be included in the NDAA. That was the wrong bill. But more importantly it unravels Schumers rationale for not bringing AICOA and OAMA up for a vote, given that they are more popular in Congress and less controversial among civil society. Please don’t prove John Oliver right that this is a classic case of Big Dem in the pocket of Big Tech. Pass AICOA and OAMA, crack down on Big Tech monopoly abuses. Pave the way for better tech infrastructure that we can use to fight for a better future. The clock is ticking.”