Tech is about to get hammered in Congress — SkimNews
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- Democrats regained control of both the House and Senate, empowering committee chairs to launch investigations into Big Tech and corporate influence, with leaders vowing to issue sweeping subpoenas.
- Rep. Greg Casar stated that AI company CEOs should be called to testify under oath, framing public backlash against data centers as an early sign of a broader political reckoning over AI’s societal impact.
- Sen. Ed Markey and other Democrats signaled intent to flood agencies with subpoenas, with Markey noting the volume will require 'planting new forests' for all the paper needed.
- Rep. Frank Pallone pledged to advance policies protecting consumers and the environment, prioritizing clean energy and reining in Big Tech through the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
- Elon Musk faces scrutiny over his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with Democrats investigating alleged conflicts of interest and disruptions to Starlink service in Ukraine.
- Anthropic may receive more favorable treatment in Congress due to its past refusal to comply with Pentagon demands for domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weapons use, differentiating it from other AI firms.
- Rep. Sam Liccardo warned Democrats against performative hearings without legislative follow-through, urging focus on AI safety, data center regulation, and job impacts to build bipartisan momentum.
Why it matters: Tech companies now face concrete oversight risks after years of stalled action, with Democrats able to advance bills on AI safety and data centers. While Trump vetoes loom, the shift enables real leverage—forcing Big Tech into negotiations and raising compliance costs, especially for AI infrastructure and executive accountability.
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