House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told Amazon CEO Andy Jassy to focus on making good products and generating profits while staying away from sensitive political issues , according to a report.
The reunion took place last fall just weeks after Jassy’s predecessor, Jeff Bezos, announced he was stepping down as CEO.
Republicans have been angered that Fortune 500 companies have become more vocal on political issues to appease their largely liberal workforce.
The Walt Disney Co. has drawn the ire of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the GOP-dominated state legislature in Tallahassee for its opposition to recently passed legislation that critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. “.
Last month, Amazon workers demanded that the company take a stronger stance against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, but management refused.
Amazon and other companies have pledged to cover healthcare costs, including travel costs incurred by employees who have to travel far for abortions.
Jassy met with McCarthy (R-Calif.) as well as several leading Democrats on Capitol Hill, reported the New York Times.
He traveled to Washington to lobby lawmakers against passing antitrust legislation targeting big tech companies such as Amazon Meta and Alphabet Inc.
Amazon has also been criticized for its efforts to oppose organizing efforts at some of its warehouses.
Since Jassy took on the role of chief executive a year ago, he has visited the capital a total of three times, according to the Times.
Jassy met with top Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain.
Schumer has been accused of dragging his feet in bringing anti-trust legislation to the Senate.
Competition advocates point out that Schumer’s daughter, Jessica Schumer, is a registered lobbyist at Amazon. The Post was the first to report the news.
Schumer’s other daughter, Alison Schumer, works as a product marketing manager at Facebook, owned by Meta, another company accused of hoarding and abusing monopoly power.
There are two major antitrust bills pending that would limit the anti-competitive practices of companies such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google.
One of the bills – the American Innovation and Choice Online Act – was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in January in a 16-6 voices. The bill was supported by all Democrats on the panel and five Republicans.
A related bill, the Open App Markets Act, is expected to be reviewed at the same time.
Most bills in the Senate need 60 votes to pass. However, advocates note that many Republicans are sponsors, suggesting they might be able to pass.
A spokesperson for Schumer insisted that the senator support the legislation.
