This post was originally published on this site
The Federal Trade Commission voted Thursday to expand its enforcement powers by repealing a bipartisan rule approved in 2015 that limited its ability to bring antitrust cases that contradict a federal court’s interpretations of federal antitrust statutes. The vote was 3-2 along party lines, with the Democratic majority voting for the motion.
“The 2015 statement has doubled down on the agency’s longstanding failure to investigate and pursue unfair methods of competition,” said Chairwoman Lina Khan said before voting to repeal the policy. “Congress directed the commission to identify and combat unfair methods of competition, even if they don’t violate the Sherman Act,” she added, referring to one of the foundational U.S. laws meant to combat anti-competitive practices.
The Republicans on the committee argued that this repeal would create uncertainty as to what types of behavior are acceptable, there for limiting innovation and entrepreneurship.
