BIDEN TAKES ON AMAZON (SORT OF)

Former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday criticized online retail giant Amazon for paying nothing in corporate taxes last year, making him the latest presidential candidate to slam one of the most profitable companies over its effective tax rate of below zero.

“I have nothing against Amazon, but no company pulling in billions of dollars of profits should pay a lower tax rate than firefighters and teachers,” Biden tweeted. “We need to reward work, not just wealth.”

A report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy earlier this year found that 60 Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, avoided paying any federal income taxes in 2018.

Amazon, which had $11.2 billion in profits last year, has become a prime target for Democrats seeking to criticize corporate power, potentially anticompetitive practices and dangerous working conditions.

The company has been accused of mistreating warehouse workers, and it’s facing multiple lawsuits from former employees who said they were treated inhumanely at the facilities. Amazon has said it treats its workers fairly.

Biden jumped into the fray earlier this week, slamming the company at a campaign stop in Iowa on Tuesday.

“I’ve got nothing against Amazon,” Biden said. “But they should pay a few taxes, you know what I mean? What happens? It’s all you guys. No, I’m serious.”

Biden’s remark that he has “nothing against Amazon” raised eyebrows, as it comes amid a furious backlash in Washington against the country’s top tech giants. Lawmakers and advocates have accused Amazon of wielding its corporate power to the detriment of other companies and workers.