DOJ May Take Over FTC Antitrust Role Under New Budget Proposal
United States: On Monday the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee proposed moving antitrust regulatory authority from the Federal Trade Commission to the Department of Justice within its budget reconciliation legislation framework, as reported by Reuters.
House Committee Backs Antitrust Power Shift
The budget proposal establishes financing to shift personnel and legal matters between the FTC and DOJ, which echoes the existing Republican bill dedicated to consolidating antitrust enforcement under one unified government agency.
For over 100 years, the U.S. government established joint antitrust responsibilities between these two agencies to defend against anticompetitive business conduct.
A representative from the FTC decided to refrain from speaking to the media.
DOJ Could Restructure the New Unit
The head of the DOJ antitrust division would have the authority to modify the combined organization’s structure under this proposal. The congressional proposal draws its language from legislative text Congressman Ben Cline wrote in a Virginian Republican bill.
Long atop big biz wishlist to axe FTC merger role, enabling Big Tech to operate with minimal public accountability.
— Center for Digital Democracy; (@DigitalDemoc) April 28, 2025
US House panel proposes to move FTC antitrust work to DOJ in budget package https://t.co/wcoaqCQLLF
U.S. Senator Mike Lee from Utah previously presented identical legislation to unify the two agencies and consistently advocated for their consolidation.
Political Path Remains Unclear
The budget reconciliation rules have unclear implications about whether the proposed measure can advance given its need for just a simple Republican majority in the Senate to pass without facing the 60-vote filibuster threshold, as reported by Reuters.
Those challenging the bill believe it will reduce antitrust enforcement capabilities.
