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 […]
congress
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.
The Hill: House Transportation Bill a Big Loser For Consumers
Congressional members on the Transportation Committee have much work to do on their proposed infrastructure bill. One first step, across all political allegiances, should be to drop unnecessary regulatory provisions in the transportation legislation that would only serve to increase consumer prices by increasing the costs of transporting goods by rail. As the economy works […]
Inside Sources: Klobuchar’s Antitrust Bill Reveals Lack of Understanding of Today’s Big Tech Economy
While legislators will undoubtedly continue their attacks on big tech into the foreseeable future, it is clear that Klobuchar’s bill is underpinned by a flawed understanding of the tech industry’s current state, the consumer benefits that tech companies generate, and the support they have provided to small businesses. These factors alone should be enough to […]
Congress: Don’t Sneak the INFORM Act into the Endless Frontier Act; Have a Hearing
As an organization representing a wide range of U.S. taxpayers and consumers, the American Consumer Institute has analyzed and highlighted numerous times the negative ramifications the INFORM Act would have on small online vendors, especially on women-owned businesses. We are extremely concerned of any possibility or proposal to add the INFORM Act to the Endless […]
ACI Sends a Letter to GOP on Broadband Availability and Affordability
Senate Republican Leader McConnell and House Republican Leader McCarthy: With millions of Americans needing the broadband door unlocked to access better education, improved healthcare, and higher-skilled jobs, we commend your efforts to continue to close the digital divide. We represent the American Consumer Institute, a nonprofit education and research organization. While we chair the FCC’s […]