House GOP Takes Aim At Big Tech With Parent's Rights Agenda
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House Republicans are considering cracking down on big tech next year as part of a big push to empower parents and families.
Rep. Katie McMorris Rogers, incoming chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, told Fox News Digital that the nation's largest tech companies are experiencing a rude awakening when the GOP-led Congress takes office in January.
"I have heard so many stories and personal stories from parents who tragically lost their child to fentanyl from a drug purchased online," said McMorris-Rogers. "I think big tech companies should do more to stop this illegal activity and stop criminals from using these platforms."
The Washington Republican said his committee will hold hearings to see how drug dealers and traffickers hack social media sites like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat to sell illegal substances. McMorris-Rogers said this hearing will look at the case of drug dealers and how Big Tech is not doing enough to stop them.
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© Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc. Via Getty Images Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers and R-Washington State and House Republics are considering cracking down on big tech as part of a larger effort to empower parents and families. Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty ImagesMacMorris-Rogers said that while the Communications Courtesy Act of 1996 requires technology companies to moderate illegal content, such as the sale of certain drugs, the federal government does not enforce the law.
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"They are not responsible for this damage," the deputy said. “We need to hold big tech companies accountable, and the Biden administration to be held accountable.”
© Mohammed Selim Korkutata / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images Republicans on the Committee on Energy and Commerce plan to investigate whether big tech companies are belittling or disguising studies showing social media platforms negatively impact children. Muhammed Selim Korkutata/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesRepublicans on the Committee on Energy and Commerce plan to investigate whether big tech companies are belittling or covering up studies showing social media platforms negatively impact children.
The CEOs of major tech companies have "testified before the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the past, but [we believe] they are being dishonest about the impact their platforms have on our children," said McMorris-Rogers.
The congressman said he hopes continued transparency will help parents keep their children safe online.
Now it's not a fair fight, says McMorris-Rogers. "We need to ensure that parents have the tools they need to monitor their children's social media use, set temporary usage limits, and warn them if their children engage in suspicious activity."
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© REUTERS / Evelyn Hockstein Parents and members of the public attend a school board meeting in Loudoun County, Va., June 22, 2021 REUTERS / Evelyn Hockstein / FileHis recent Republican bid to win on the Energy and Commerce Committee is just one part of a larger parent empowerment program that House GOP wants to push through the next Congress. Much of that agenda revolves around the Parental Rights Act, which was introduced earlier this year by California Home Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
McCarthy and allies say the Parental Rights Act would increase transparency in education, letting families know not only how schools are spending their money but also what subjects their children are studying.
McCarthy said, "American parents must never feel powerless; they must be empowered and protected when it comes to influencing their children's education."
