Lighthizer Declines to Testify at House Commerce Hearing on Section 230

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer declined to testify at an Oct. 16 hearing (see 1910070031) on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the House Commerce Committee said Thursday. As the committee explores the statute’s consumer protection implications, “it’s extremely disappointing” Lighthizer “would refuse” to testify on the “inclusion of similar language in trade agreements,” a committee spokesperson said. The hearing would have been an “opportunity for him to explain” how such language in trade agreements “benefits Americans in light of consumers’ growing concerns about the health of the internet.” USTR didn’t comment.