Reps. Balint, Velázquez Introduce Online Sellers Bill of Rights to Protect Small Businesses from Corporate Gatekeepers

This press release from Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) was published on 2026-07-21 and titled "Reps. Balint, Velázquez Introduce Online Sellers Bill of Rights to Protect Small Businesses from Corporate Gatekeepers".

Reps. Balint, Velázquez Introduce Online Sellers Bill of Rights to Protect Small Businesses from Corporate Gatekeepers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Ending Corporate Greed Task Force, and Nydia Velázquez (NY-7), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business, today introduced the Online Sellers Bill of Rights, legislation to protect independent online sellers from arbitrary and opaque actions by dominant online marketplaces, like Amazon and Walmart. Millions of Americans rely on platforms like Amazon and Walmart to reach customers, but those same platforms can suspend sellers, freeze inventory, withhold earnings, or bury products in search results with little warning, explanation, or opportunity to appeal. The Online Sellers Bill of Rights establishes basic due process and transparency requirements to help level the playing field between independent businesses and the dominant corporations that control online commerce. "No corporation should have the power to destroy someone's livelihood with the click of a button," said Rep. Balint. "Right now, a handful of massive online retailers can suspend sellers, freeze their inventory, and cut off their income with little explanation and virtually no accountability. I'm proud to partner with Ranking Member Velázquez to introduce the Online Sellers Bill of Rights to give small businesses in Vermont and across the country the transparency, due process, and fair chance to compete that they deserve." “For too long, small businesses have suffered as large e-commerce platforms block or limit their products with little to no explanation,” said Rep. Velázquez. “Years of work to establish a small business should not be lost because of arbitrary algorithm changes or unfounded product investigations while online platforms like Amazon face no consequences.” “The Online Sellers Bill of Rights works to stop these injustices by demanding greater transparency and giving merchants a meaningful opportunity to address potential issues, rather than leaving them blindsided,” Rep. Velázquez continued. “As Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee, I have consistently fought for small businesses across the nation to have a fair and equal footing. This piece of legislation is the latest step in that ongoing effort, ensuring that even the smallest vendors have a real chance of making their businesses succeed.” About 255 million Americans shop on Amazon annually, and roughly 40 percent of all online transactions occur through its marketplace. Meanwhile, more than 50 percent of the e-commerce market is dominated by just four companies, giving dominant platforms enormous power over the small businesses that depend on them to reach customers. For many sellers operating on razor-thin margins, an erroneous suspension can be financially devastating. Businesses have been removed from online marketplaces after platforms like Amazon incorrectly determined they violated its constantly changing seller policies. Instead of receiving timely explanations or meaningful reviews, many sellers are met with automated, generic and vague responses while losing sales, paying storage fees on inaccessible inventory, and struggling to keep their businesses afloat. To address these issues, the Online Sellers Bill of Rights would: Give sellers adequate notice of any policy changes that affect a seller’s business. Require that platforms demonstrate proof of a violation of a rule or law before suspending or deactivating a third-party seller. Provide prompt notice to sellers about inventory or funds due to suspicion of unlawful conduct and release that inventory or those funds after 30 days if no proof of illegal conduct is found. Require platforms return seller's inventory within a reasonable timeframe if there is no proof of violation. Provide sellers with actionable information and transparency regarding any investigation that risks account deactivation or listing suspension. The Online Sellers Bill of Rights is cosponsored by Reps. André Carson (IN-7), Valerie Foushee (NC-4), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-4), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12). The Online Sellers Bill of Rights is endorsed by the Responsible Online Commerce Coalition (ROCC), Open Markets Institute, Tech Oversight Project, Main Street Alliance, Public Citizen, American Economic Liberties Project (AELP), Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR), and Small Business Majority. “Independent, third-party sellers are the backbone of a vibrant and competitive online marketplace,” said Joe Van Wye, Policy Director for the Responsible Online Commerce Coalition. "However, just a handful of dominant platforms abuse their market power to set up and then manipulate a system of vague, unpredictable, and ever-changing rules in ways that undermine these hardworking businesses’ ability to survive and grow, stifling innovation and entrepreneurship in this critical sector. We commend Reps. Balint and Velázquez fo