Experts on Wednesday told an informal hearing by the Congressional Human Rights Caucus that U.S. tech firms are pushing aside principles in the pursuit of profit by helping China censor the internet, reports Reuters. The Congressmen, who are likely not strangers to the concept of sacrificing principle to expediency, excoriated Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and Cisco Systems - none of which sent representatives to the hearing. Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio said the companies were "squandering their leverage and U.S. moral authority" by making compromises so that they may be allowed to operate in China.

The congressional debate could lead to rules on how American technology companies are allowed to operate in repressive states.

"Companies that have blossomed and make billions in this country, a country that reveres freedom of speech, have chosen to ignore that core value in expanding their reach overseas, and to erect a Great Firewall to suit Beijing's purposes," according to Rep. Tom Lantos of California.