A bipartisan delegation from the House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), traveled to Brussels, London, and Dublin for meetings with European Union and United Kingdom officials, American businesses operating in Europe, and advocates for free speech. The trip focused on concerns about recent European regulations affecting online platforms and technology companies.
Chairman Jordan expressed apprehension about several European laws impacting digital content. "Nothing we heard in Europe eased our concerns about the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, or Online Safety Act," said Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH). "These sweeping regulations create a serious chilling effect on free expression and threaten the First Amendment rights of American citizens and companies. We absolutely need to protect children and keep harmful, illegal content off these platforms—but when governments or bureaucracies suppress speech in the name of safety or regulation, it sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the core of Western democratic values."
Subcommittee Chairman Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) commented on the regulatory environment facing American firms: "America innovates, China replicates, then Europe regulates," said Fitzgerald. "That was a recurring theme in just about every meeting we had during this CODEL. American companies based in Europe are frustrated, but we were able to gather a lot of valuable information and feedback."
Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) stressed the importance of coordination between allies on free speech issues. "It’s critical that we stay aligned with our European allies on protecting free speech," said Kiley. "Unfortunately, Europe has veered off course—and to be frank, the United States did too in recent years under the Biden Administration. But thanks to the work of the Judiciary Committee, we’ve made real progress, and we’re here to help ensure that progress extends beyond our borders."
Kiley also raised economic concerns regarding regulatory policies targeting U.S.-based technology firms: "I’m also deeply concerned about how laws like the Digital Markets Act are being weaponized against American companies—many of them based in California," he continued. "This kind of overreach doesn’t just burden innovation; it effectively shifts wealth from the U.S. to Europe. That’s not something we can ignore, and it should be front and center in future U.S.–EU negotiations. We’re going to make sure the administration hears that loud and clear."
The delegation met with various government officials including Henna Virkkunen from the EU Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy; Melanie Dawes of Ofcom; Peter Kyle MP; Yvette Cooper MP; Jeremy Godfrey from Ireland's Media Commission; Thomas Byrne representing Ireland’s government; as well as U.S troops stationed at RAF Lakenheath.
