New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's progressive agenda is bringing him head-to-head with Amazon. At the heart of the showdown is his backing earlier this month of the Delivery Protection Act, which would force warehouse operators to get city licenses by adhering to new safety, training and employment requirements. The Act would also require Amazon to directly hire couriers who are currently employed by smaller firms that deliver its packages. Amazon has said it would consider relocating its warehouses if it passes. Mamdani has also announced the collection of more than $9 million in idling fines from Amazon delivery vehicles, and sent cease-and-desist orders to online retailers, including Amazon, that the city said were selling illegal e-bikes.

Amazon said it requires e-bikes sold in its store to meet applicable safety standards, and that it has worked with city officials to resolve idling fines. In the battle over the Delivery Protection Act, Amazon has contributed around $5 million to the Five Borough Jobs Campaign, an organization fighting the legislation, according to public records. A study by AKRF, funded by the campaign, found that prices could go up by $664 a year per household if the Delivery Protection Act passes.