Over the weekend, House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and ranking member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) proposed new legislation that would repeal Section 230 at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts. Originally passed as a part of the Communications Decency Act, Section 230 protects speech online by shielding online platforms from liability for content posted by third parties and content they choose to moderate.

“This isn’t a serious discussion about Section 230.  It’s holding Section 230 hostage without any replacement on the table,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich. “Just look at our nation’s debt limit – forced deadlines haven’t enabled Congress to reduce the debt, but have instead put the U.S. on the brink of default as lawmakers use the debt limit as a bargaining chip. If lawmakers believe Section 230 needs amendment, they should come up with a proposal instead of chasing headlines.”

Chamber of Progress released a report examining the impact of Section 230 and related litigation on small online providers. The report, available here, shows that Section 230 is critical to the survival of small sites, from niche blogs to community newspapers.

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.