X

Bezos supports Biden's infrastructure push, corporate tax rate increase

The Amazon CEO says "it's the right time" for lawmakers and the president to work out a deal.

Laura Hautala Former Senior Writer
Laura wrote about e-commerce and Amazon, and she occasionally covered cool science topics. Previously, she broke down cybersecurity and privacy issues for CNET readers. Laura is based in Tacoma, Washington, and was into sourdough before the pandemic.
Expertise E-commerce, Amazon, earned wage access, online marketplaces, direct to consumer, unions, labor and employment, supply chain, cybersecurity, privacy, stalkerware, hacking. Credentials
  • 2022 Eddie Award for a single article in consumer technology
See full bio
Laura Hautala
2 min read
Jeff Bezos giving livestream testimony to Congress in July 2020

Jeff Bezos testified remotely before the House Judiciary Committee in July 2020. His support of a bipartisan infrastructure deal comes as the company faces scrutiny for potential antitrust violations and treatment of employees.

 Getty Images

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos issued a statement Tuesday supporting President Joe Biden's push for an infrastructure bill, and called on Congress to work with his administration to strike a deal. That includes raising taxes on corporations to help pay for it.

"Both Democrats and Republicans have supported infrastructure in the past," Bezos said, "and it's the right time to work together to make this happen."

The statement, shared by the Amazon News account on Twitter, casts the issue of improving US infrastructure as bipartisan, on which everyone needs to concede something. Bezos didn't say whether he supports the specifics of Biden's plan, but said he's hoping for a compromise "that maintains or enhances US competitiveness."

Amazon is facing scrutiny from both parties for potentially anti-competitive actions, with calls for an antitrust investigation from the House Judiciary Committee. Additionally, the company has weathered accusations of union busting as it waits for the results of an election at its warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, that could bring about the first Amazon union in the US. Amazon has tried to burnish its image by promoting its support of a $15 federal minimum wage, as well as the pay and benefits it offers its warehouse employees. 

However, the Amazon News account drew negative attention in late March when it tweeted snarky messages to lawmakers, one of which derided Rep. Mike Pocan for believing stories that Amazon employees have to pee in bottles to keep up with work demands. Amazon later apologized for the tweet and admitted it was inaccurate.

Read more: Amazon's union vote and Twitter rant: What you need to know about its labor fight

The company has pledged other support to the federal government, offering to use its logistics expertise to speed the availability of coronavirus vaccines.

Here's Bezos' statement in full: 

"We support the Biden Administration's focus on making bold investments in American infrastructure. Both Democrats and Republicans have supported infrastructure in the past, and it's the right time to work together to make this happen. We recognize this investment will require concessions from all sides—both on the specifics of what's included as well as how it gets paid for (we're supportive of a rise in the corporate tax rate). We look forward to Congress and the Administration coming together to find the right, balanced solution that maintains or enhances US competitiveness."