Name: Big Tech taps libertarian lifeline in D.C.
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Big Tech taps libertarian lifeline in D.C.

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Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosTech companies bracing for increased scrutiny in Washington are leaning on their last friends in town — the libertarians.Why it matters: Progressive liberals and populist conservatives alike are ramping up their attacks on the tech industry. So the once-beloved darlings of Silicon Valley are scrambling to gain traction on Capitol Hill with the dwindling ranks of Republicans who still believe in laissez-faire, even for the tech industry.What's happening: Major tech companies have added prominent conservatives from the free-market world to their D.C. rosters in recent months.Yes, but: The tech companies are also eager to hire Democrats as they seek to position themselves for the new administration and congressional majorities.The big picture: The D.C. breed of libertarian who is against government intervention or regulation is fading fast among those in power in the Republican Party.Flashback: The tech industry has a strong libertarian streak in general, with some in Silicon Valley priding themselves on their independent-minded views.Between the lines: The number of lawmakers — on either side of the aisle — who believe nothing should be done to regulate tech companies is dwindling, so the companies have their work cut out for them.Former President Trump warned the GOP that removing the filibuster would be "catastrophic for the Republican Party" during an “The Truth with Lisa Boothe."Flashback: Trump told Republican lawmakers in 2018 that keeping the filibuster would be "the end of the party," insisting that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) would eliminate it as soon as Democrats took the majority, at the time.European Union officials have approved sanctions against four Chinese officials and one Chinese entity for the "large-scale arbitrary detentions" of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, the European Council Monday.Why it matters: The measures are part of a sweeping EU sanctions regime, modeled after the , designed to reflect the bloc's "determination to stand up for human rights and to take tangible action against those responsible for violations and abuses," the Council said in a statement.The last 72 hours highlighted hurdles and opportunities for U.S.-China cooperation on climate at a time of very deep divisions over human rights, cybersecurity and more.Driving the news: Chinese state media, in a weekend of high-level U.S.-China talks in Alaska on Thursday and Friday, said one outcome of the multitopic meeting will be a "joint working group" on climate.

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosTech companies bracing for increased scrutiny in Washington are leaning on their last friends in town — the libertarians.Why it matters: Progressive liberals and populist conservatives alike are ramping up their attacks on the tech industry. So the once-beloved darlings of Silicon Valley are scrambling to gain traction on Capitol Hill with the dwindling ranks of Republicans who still believe in laissez-faire, even for the tech industry.What's happening: Major tech companies have added prominent conservatives from the free-market world to their D.C. rosters in...

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Margaret Harding McGill

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Big Tech taps libertarian lifeline in D.C.

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