WASHINGTON, DC – The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) announced its support of Rep. Veronica Escobar’s (D-TX-16) “Federal Acquisition E-Commerce Fairness and Competition Act.” H.R. 5217 will remedy a serious flaw in how the government is testing e-commerce platforms for departments and agencies to purchase products. This legislation will broaden competition and instill fairness benefitting American taxpayers.
“On behalf of the $6 trillion wholesale distribution industry, we commend and strongly support Rep. Escobar’s legislation to address GSA’s current pilot e-Commerce Portal program which unfairly gives Amazon monopoly power in federal government procurement,” said Blake Adami, NAW Vice President of Government Relations. “Every day, Amazon commits unfair acts against small businesses and distributors that sell on Amazon’s marketplace. This bill restores Congressional intent by requiring GSA to expand its pilot program by testing at least 3 commercial e-commerce portal models and prevents Amazon from being both a platform manager and supplier. NAW is committed to fighting unfair acts by monopolistic companies and we urge Congress to quickly pass the House Judiciary committee’s antitrust bills.”
To view NAW’s letter supporting the Federal Acquisition E-Commerce Fairness and Competition Act, click here.
To view Rep. Escobar’s press release on H.R. 5217, click here.
To view the bill text, click here.
Background
- Earlier this year, NAW sent letters urging further congressional and administrative oversight of GSA’s pilot e-Commerce Portal program which gives Amazon monopoly power in government procurement.
- NAW urged members of both parties to work together to hold unregulated monopolies accountable.
- NAW applauded the bipartisan work of Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Cicilline, Ranking Member Buck, Members of the Judiciary Committee, and staff to promote free and fair competition.
- NAW supported President Biden’s nomination of FTC Chair Lina Khan to the commission.
- In February, NAW sent a letter to Judiciary Subcommittee Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law Chairman David Cicilline and Ranking Member Ken Buck highlighting Amazon’s monopolistic treatment of third-party sellers.