Jayapal Statement on Jeff Bezos Stepping Down as CEO of Amazon
“I will always be proud to serve, represent, advocate on behalf of and fight for the thousands of Amazon workers who call Washington’s Seventh Congressional District home.“
SEATTLE — United States Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a member of the House Antitrust Subcommittee, issued the following statement following Amazon’s announcement that Jeff Bezos is stepping down as CEO:
“I will always be proud to serve, represent, advocate on behalf of and fight for the thousands of Amazon workers who call Washington’s Seventh Congressional District home. Though I have not often seen eye to eye with Mr. Bezos, I wish him all the best as he steps down as CEO and I know that he will continue to have enormous influence on the policies and future of Amazon and its workers. The fact that Amazon was born right here in Seattle is a testament to our region’s creativity and talent, and a reminder of how we must do everything in our power to preserve that environment of market competition, fair wages and workers’ rights that have defined our success as a city.
“That is why I have repeatedly focused on ensuring that all companies — including Amazon — are held to account for unacceptable treatment of workers including delivery drivers and warehouse employees; decisions to cut hazard pay and paid sick leave during a raging pandemic even as the top management and wealthiest shareholders get richer; and the desperate need to address racial justice and equity. I intend to continue my work to ensure that we have a tax system that demands that the largest corporations and wealthiest individuals pay their fair share in taxes, and — as a member of the Antitrust Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee — that we aggressively challenge dominant tech platforms such as Amazon and others and rein in anti-competitive behavior and monopolistic practices. That is the only way the very innovation that allowed Amazon to thrive can be preserved for our region.
“As Washington state’s largest employer, Amazon has led the way in the business community on a few important decisions — from raising their minimum wage to $15 to stopping police use of their facial recognition technology — but there is still enormous work to be done to build our region equitably, preserve competition and ensure that workers are treated with dignity and respect. I look forward to meeting with incoming CEO Andy Jassy and continuing to work with Mr. Bezos in his new role to ensure fairness and justice for my constituents and for our country.”
###
Issues: Science, Technology, & Antitrust