The following is a statement by Krisztina Pusok, Research and Policy Director for the American Consumer Institute: “America desperately needs responsible Congressional budgeting. For too long, the federal government has engaged in reckless fiscal spending that has left the economy in a dire state. We welcome Senator Braun’s proposal to roll back excessive deficit spending, […]
congress
Statement on Reauthorizing the FCC’s Auction Authority
Earlier this month, the House Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology marked up H.R. 7783, the Extending America’s Auction Leadership Act. The bill would grant the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the ability to conduct spectrum auctions for an additional 18 months. The agency’s auction authority expires on September 30th and must […]
Statement Congressional Hearing to Explore Mandating a Two-Person Crew Size Rule for Freight Rail
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure plans to hold subcommittee meeting on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials called Examining Freight Rail Safety. The following is a statement by the American Consumer Institute (ACI) on Congressional efforts to impose a two-person crew size. The meeting will examine rail safety but also congressional efforts […]
The Economic Standard: New Congressional Effort to Crack Down on Big Tech
The past year has seen multiple attempts by Congressional leaders to pass antitrust bills that penalize big tech companies for their size, completely disregarding business conduct or the effects on consumers. The latest antitrust bill to be introduced comes from Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, a known critic of big tech who has claimed large tech […]
Statement on the Need to Reauthorize the FCC’s Spectrum Authority
The American Consumer Institute is concerned to learn that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will soon lose its spectrum authorization authority if Congressional action is not taken before September 30th. We strongly urge Congress to reauthorize the FCC’s short-term auction authority so that future spectrum auctions for commercial stakeholders may continue to be held. Since […]
Coalition Letter Urges Congressional Oversight on NTIA Broadband Rulemaking
The American Consumer Institute joined a dozen other policy think tanks calling on Congress to direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop the most practical, economically sound rules for broadband deployment subject to the broadband funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The letter states that “technology neutrality” should be the […]
The Economic Standard: Policymakers Must Recognize Mergers Can Benefit Consumers
The principal battlefield in Washington’s war on big tech is mergers and acquisitions. Throughout 2021, lawmakers from both parties and antitrust enforcers at the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice have taken increasingly aggressive steps to block proposed mergers and acquisitions as well as retroactively attempt to break up previously approved ones. While an […]
Coalition Tells Congress: Say “No” to Price Controls
Today, a large coalition of think tanks sent a letter to members of Congress opposing efforts to place artificial prices on prescription drugs. The letter explains that such price controls would lead to drug shortages, impede investment and innovation, and lead to worse outcomes for patients. The letter is available online.
ACI Sends a Letter To Senator Grassley: Don’t Undermine Consumer Welfare
Senator Grassley and Members of Congress: We appreciate your efforts and careful attention to antitrust and other competition related issues with technology companies. While we support antitrust scrutiny to promote competitive behavior, as long-time supporters of free markets and free expression, we are concerned to see drastic antitrust reform proposals that completely overlook consumer welfare […]
Coalition Opposes Wasteful $3.5 Trillion Spending Plan
Today, a coalition of tax and consumer groups wrote a letter to Congress in opposition to the $3.5 trillion proposal, calling it — not a “path for progress for Americans,” but rather a mixed bag of higher taxes andincreased wasteful spending for which taxpayers will ultimately be responsible. The coalition letter is available here online.