Vice President Harris finds herself at the center of a conflict between influential Democratic donors and progressive activists over the regulation of Big Tech companies. Major donors are pressuring Harris to consider replacing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, who has been instrumental in the Biden administration’s aggressive antitrust approach.
Jeff Hauser, head of the Revolving Door Project, warned that yielding to this pressure would alienate the party’s progressive base. “If Harris were to displace Khan or withdraw support from the FTC’s efforts against anticompetitive practices, she would face intense backlash from the left,” Hauser said. He emphasized that Khan’s role has been pivotal in revitalizing an agency that had been inactive for decades, bringing huge legal victories and stalling problematic mergers.
Kamala Harris Commands Attention as She Takes Center Stage
A Harris campaign spokesperson did not comment on potential personnel changes. Under Khan’s leadership, the FTC has challenged numerous mergers and persuaded companies to abandon several deals during investigations. Recent court victories, including a ruling against Google for monopolistic practices, underscore the FTC’s proactive stance.
Despite these achievements, there is concern about Harris’s ties to Silicon Valley from her tenure as a California senator. Her recent fundraising event in San Francisco raised over $12 million, with substantial contributions from tech industry figures. Critics argue this raises questions about her commitment to regulating Big Tech.
Journalist Gil Duran and Democratic strategist Ashley Woolheater noted that Harris, who has deep roots in California’s tech industry, must balance donor interests with her regulatory responsibilities. Woolheater expressed skepticism about whether Harris would reverse the FTC’s current policies, despite donor pressure.
As Harris prepares to announce her agenda on issues like price gouging and prescription drug costs, progressives remain concerned about the future of antitrust enforcement under her leadership. A senior Senate aide emphasized the need for Harris to maintain the Biden administration’s industrial policies to support the care economy and counterbalance the influence of major tech donors.
