Imagine if all the rules about business competition were handled by just one government agency instead of two. That's what the One Agency Act aims to do. This bill proposes to transfer all antitrust enforcement duties from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the Department of Justice (DOJ), making the DOJ the sole authority on these matters.
What This Bill Does
The One Agency Act is a proposal to streamline how the U.S. government handles antitrust laws, which are rules to keep businesses from getting too powerful and hurting competition. Right now, both the FTC and the DOJ share this responsibility. This bill wants to change that by giving all the antitrust duties to the DOJ.
If the bill becomes law, the FTC will no longer handle antitrust cases. Instead, it will focus only on protecting consumers from unfair business practices. The DOJ will take over all the antitrust work, which includes investigating companies that might be trying to create monopolies or unfairly dominate a market.
The bill outlines a transition period of one year, which can be extended by another 180 days if needed. During this time, the DOJ can reorganize its Antitrust Division and use FTC staff to help with ongoing investigations. Businesses will also be required to submit reports about their practices to the DOJ, which will help the agency keep an eye on potential antitrust issues.
Why It Matters
This change could have a big impact on how quickly and effectively antitrust laws are enforced. For businesses, having just one agency to deal with might make it easier to understand and follow the rules. It could also mean faster decisions on whether big mergers or acquisitions can go ahead, which might affect prices and choices for consumers.
For everyday Americans, this could mean more competition in markets like technology, healthcare, and consumer goods. More competition can lead to lower prices and better services. However, there are concerns that concentrating this power in one agency might lead to less oversight and potential political influence over important decisions.
Key Facts
- Cost/Budget Impact: The bill proposes transferring existing FTC antitrust funding to the DOJ, aiming for a cost-neutral restructuring.
- Timeline for Implementation: The transition period is set for one year, extendable by 180 days.
- Number of People Affected: Approximately 500 FTC antitrust staff would be transferred to the DOJ.
- Key Dates: The bill was introduced on January 14, 2025.
- Other Important Details: The bill was introduced just three days before the 119th Congress convened, highlighting its urgency. It also grants the DOJ broad business reporting powers, similar to corporate surveillance tools.
Arguments in Support
- Eliminates duplication and inefficiency: By consolidating roles, the bill aims to streamline enforcement and avoid redundant investigations, saving time and resources.
- Enhances expertise and consistency: The DOJ's Antitrust Division would gain specialized staff and funding from the FTC, potentially leading to more consistent policy enforcement.
- Reduces regulatory burden on businesses: Businesses would only need to comply with one agency's requirements, simplifying the process.
- Improves government efficiency: The transfer of assets and responsibilities could save costs by reducing the need for two separate leadership teams.
Arguments in Opposition
- Reduces checks and balances: Critics argue that eliminating the FTC's role as an independent watchdog could concentrate too much power in the DOJ, risking potential abuse.
- Weakens consumer protection: The FTC's current integration of antitrust and consumer protection roles might be diluted, affecting its ability to protect consumers effectively.
- Disrupts ongoing cases and expertise: The transition might lead to the loss of experienced FTC staff and delay ongoing investigations.
- Increases business reporting burdens: The DOJ's new authority to demand reports could expand surveillance without the FTC's balancing influence.